Tag: Jiri Prochazka

Blachowicz Thinks Procházka Title Fight Would Out-Sell Teixeira Rematch

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz thinks a Ji?í Procházka title fight in Poland would be massive. Blachowicz will likely get the next light heavyweight title shot against the Glover Teixeira/Procházka winner at UFC 275. Teixeira earned the title by defeating Blachowicz via submission at UFC 267 last year. Blachowicz got back in the…

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Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz thinks a Ji?í Procházka title fight in Poland would be massive.

Blachowicz will likely get the next light heavyweight title shot against the Glover Teixeira/Procházka winner at UFC 275. Teixeira earned the title by defeating Blachowicz via submission at UFC 267 last year.

Blachowicz got back in the win column after Aleksandar Rakic suffered a leg injury during their fight just weeks ago. Now, the former 205lb champion seems to be next in line for a shot to reclaim the light heavyweight throne.

If Teixeira defeats Procházka at UFC 275, he’s already offered Blachowicz a rematch following the event. However, Teixeira will face a tough task in the form of Procházka, who has earned knockouts over Volkan Oezdemir and Dominick Reyes in the Octagon.

During a recent interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Blachowicz talked about how both matchups would be exciting for him, but a fight with Procházka would be more profitable.

“I think both, if Glover wins, it’s gonna be a good story about the rematch; with Jiri, very good for us because if they will do this fight in Europe then it will be one of the biggest fights in Europe,” Blachowicz said. “Me against Jiri. It will be amazing because we’ll do somewhere in Poland or Czech Republic.

“I think if they will make this fight in Poland, me against Jiri, in national stadium. Joanna [Jedrzejczyk], Mateusz Gamrot. Sixty thousand people could be there.”

The UFC hasn’t hosted an event in Poland in years, but could potentially return if Blachowicz reclaims the belt. The promotion last held an event in Gdansk, Poland back in 2017, featuring a welterweight matchup between Donald Cerrone and Darren Till.

While Blachowicz sees the benefits of fights with both Teixeira and Procházka, he thinks a fight with Procházka would be one of the biggest in recent MMA history in Europe.

Do you think a Jan Blachowicz vs. Ji?í Procházka fight in Europe would sell out?

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UFC 275: Previewing Glover Teixeira vs. Jiri Prochazka and the Rest of the Card

UFC 275 goes down in Kallang, Singapore, on June 11. It’ll be the Las Vegas-based promotion’s first pay-per-view in southeast Asia, and it has put together a pretty solid fight card to celebrate the occasion…

UFC 275 goes down in Kallang, Singapore, on June 11. It’ll be the Las Vegas-based promotion’s first pay-per-view in southeast Asia, and it has put together a pretty solid fight card to celebrate the occasion…

Watch: Aleksandar Rakic Has Heartbreaking Reaction to UFC Vegas 54 Loss Due to Injury

Aleksandar RakicAn injury suffered in training camp led to a catastrophic end for Aleksandar Rakic’s first UFC main event. Competing against former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz at UFC Vegas 54, Rakic suffered a fight-ending knee injury in the third round. Devastated by the loss, ESPN MMA captured Rakic’s emotional walk to the back with […]

Aleksandar Rakic

An injury suffered in training camp led to a catastrophic end for Aleksandar Rakic’s first UFC main event.

Competing against former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz at UFC Vegas 54, Rakic suffered a fight-ending knee injury in the third round. Devastated by the loss, ESPN MMA captured Rakic’s emotional walk to the back with the help of his corner.

Rakic can be heard saying, “I let you down” as tears streamed down his face once backstage.

Aleksandar Rakic Discusses the Knee Injury Initially Suffered During Training

While appearing on the ESPN+ show ‘UFC Journey’, Rakic talked about the aftermath of the bout, the injury he suffered in training, and what comes next. 

“It happens, you know. What can I do? God had other plans with me tonight. My knee popped. My right knee. This knee I injured three weeks ago on a training. In a sparing. It happened. It’s not a lie, it happened. The knee wasn’t 100 percent. I thought it was. I’m just a little bit sad about the outcome of the fight, but I will never put my head down. I will come back stronger. I’m gonna go back, work my f*cking a** off. My dream is to be the champion.”

With Blachowicz’s TKO victory, he likely finds himself in pole position for a title opportunity following UFC 275’s scheduled bout between reigning champion Glover Teixeira and challenger Jiri Prochazka. 

ESPN’s post-fight video also includes Blachowicz celebrating the victory with his team. Blachowicz was in danger of losing the bout via doctor’s stoppage after a strike appeared to cut the inner part of his right eye. 

“Doctors say it was so close to stop the fight,” Blachowicz said. “When I saw the face of the doctor he was like [horrified look]. It was a little bit scary but the second doctor was ‘No he’s good.’”

Jamahal Hill Sets His Sights On A Future Matchup With Jiri Prochazka- “It’s Gonna Be One Of The Best Fights The People Have Ever Seen”

Jamahal HillRising UFC light heavyweight contender Jamahal Hill has stated that a fight between him and current title contender Jiri Prochazka “has to happen” at some point in the near future. Jamahal Hill recently sat down with the UFC to discuss the entire 205lb top 15. ‘Sweet Dreams’ had notable comments for several of his fellow […]

Jamahal Hill

Rising UFC light heavyweight contender Jamahal Hill has stated that a fight between him and current title contender Jiri Prochazka “has to happen” at some point in the near future.

Jamahal Hill recently sat down with the UFC to discuss the entire 205lb top 15. ‘Sweet Dreams’ had notable comments for several of his fellow light heavyweights, such as Ryan ‘Superman’ Spann, stating that:

“Oh, Supergirl. Bro, he’s just weird. He said some s**t earlier on in Twitter that just made me- that just rubbed me the wrong way, you know. He’s not as good as he thinks he is. But whatever, we’ll see, maybe one day he can get these f***ing hands. Supergirl.”

He also had some choice words to say about Switzerland’s Volkan Oezdemir, remarking that:

“He’s still ranked? Like damn. Nah I’m just talking s**t. I mean, bro I don’t even know what to say about him. I don’t want to say nothing about him but Volkan Oezdemir, f*cking weird. Slow as hell. Thinks he’s better than he is. Come get these hands. Stop talking, don’t say nothing. Just come get these hands, b**ch.”

However, one opponent that Hill did not disparage, and instead appeared to hold great respect for, was Jiri ‘Denisa’ Prochazka. Hill stated that:

“Jiri Prochazka. Exciting, flows well, comes to bang, a superstar. Somebody who I absolutely have to share the cage with. This has to happen. This has to happen. And I’m telling you this bro, because when it does happen, it’s gonna be one of the best fights the people have ever seen.”

What is next for Jamahal Hill?

Whilst Jamahal Hill may well have his sights set on a future fight with Jiri Prochazka, he does have an opponent currently booked himself. ‘Sweet Dreams’ is set to headline an upcoming UFC Fight Night event, facing off against former title challenger Thiago Santos.

Hill is currently riding back-to-back first-round KO wins, having defeated both Johnny Walker and Jimmy Crute. Should he manage to overcome the No.6 ranked Santos, Hill will catapult himself right into the title picture at 205lbs. With the current champ, Glover Teixeira, stating that 2022 will be his last year competing in MMA, Hill may well find himself in his dream fight with Prochazka sooner rather than later.

How do you think Jamahal Hill would fare against Jiri Prochazka?

Ji?í Procházka Explains Why He Punches Trees In Training

UFC light heavyweight contender Ji?í Procházka has explained why he believes punching trees benefits his training and his body. We’ve seen some bizarre training techniques in mixed martial arts and combat sports as a whole. A few that come to mind include Joshua Fabia chasing his pupils, including Diego Sanchez, around a cage with a…

Continue Reading Ji?í Procházka Explains Why He Punches Trees In Training at MMA News.

UFC light heavyweight contender Ji?í Procházka has explained why he believes punching trees benefits his training and his body.

We’ve seen some bizarre training techniques in mixed martial arts and combat sports as a whole. A few that come to mind include Joshua Fabia chasing his pupils, including Diego Sanchez, around a cage with a knife, Tony Ferguson’s strange exploits in the gym, and Fabia (perhaps the king when it comes to questionable training) hitting an upside-down Sanchez with a stick.

After a video uploaded to Twitter by Procházka last year, we can add tree punching to that list…

Whatever “Denisa” does in training, apparently including striking bark, it seemingly works. The Czech star boasts a 28-3 professional record, which includes a remarkable 25 knockouts. He also held gold in the renowned Rizin promotion, and will have the chance to do so in the UFC next month.

After back-to-back knockouts in his first two Octagon appearances, including a memorable spinning back elbow finish against Dominick Reyes, Procházka has secured a title shot against Glover Teixeira. The pair will meet in the UFC 275 main event on June 11.

So, with that success, should all fighters be punching trees? Procházka seems to think so.

“This kind of training is very good for your body, for the stability. You can stabilize your punch when you’re punching the tree,” Procházka claimed during an interview with Overtime Heroics MMA. “But not a big tree like I punched in the video. It’s better to punch some smaller trees. That’s why I changed that.

“Sometimes I’m using the tree, sometimes I’m using the makiwara. The makiwara is like, a wood stick,” explained Procházka. “It’s helpful for your body, to be more powerful in your punches, to be stronger. You have your core, your stomach, be stable and just better.”

Having suggested that he’s knocked down a fare few trees in his time training in the forest, Procházka will look to replicate that result on another human when he next enters the Octagon.

Given his track record so far, it’s probably safe to say that should Teixeira be dethroned at UFC 275, he’ll be lucky to avoid going to sleep.

What do you make of Ji?í Procházka’s unique training?

Continue Reading Ji?í Procházka Explains Why He Punches Trees In Training at MMA News.

Glover Teixeira Plots ‘Perfect Plan’ For End Of UFC Career

UFC light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira has a plan in mind in terms of when and how he’ll walk away from MMA and retire. Teixeira is slated to face Ji?í Procházka for his first light heavyweight title defense at UFC 275 next month. He earned the title over Jan Blachowicz in a big upset at…

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UFC light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira has a plan in mind in terms of when and how he’ll walk away from MMA and retire.

Teixeira is slated to face Ji?í Procházka for his first light heavyweight title defense at UFC 275 next month. He earned the title over Jan Blachowicz in a big upset at UFC 267.

Teixeira, at 42 years old, is likely on his last legs when it comes to his MMA career. But before he calls it quits, he has a few things he wants to accomplish, including a win over Procházka in just a few weeks.

During a recent interview on the Mundo da Luta podcast, Teixeira explained what an ideal end to his career would look like for him.

“The perfect plan would be winning this fight, which I have full focus on,” Teixeira said. “And fighting one last time in November, in New York, which is close to the city I live for 20 years, and close to my gym. It would be my farewell from fighting. That’s what I’m thinking right now.”

“I’ll be 43 in November. Regardless of being at the top, being the best of the world or not, I wanna stop this year. It will probably be my last year. I don’t wanna make this decision after a fight, but it’s what I’ve been thinking for a while. I don’t wanna retire like [Henry] Cejudo, who keeps asking for a fight all the time. I want to retire and stay cool.

“I think that’s the perfect plan,” Teixeira continued. “The perfect plan is to retire with the belt this year, but we have a lot to do. We have to see if it could be in New York, and I still have to beat a guy that is tough as hell. That’s my idea.” (h/t MMA Fighting)

Teixeira made his UFC debut back at UFC 146, earning a first-round submission of Kyle Kingsbury. Before signing with the UFC, he made a name for himself on the Brazilian regional scene competing in promotions such as Shooto Brazil and Bitetti Combat.

If Teixeira defeats Procházka at UFC 275, he seems to already have a decided opponent for his UFC farewell. He recently offered Blachowicz a title rematch following the former champion’s win over Aleksandar Rakic earlier this month.

Teixeira is arguably one of the greatest UFC light heavyweights in the promotion’s history, but he’s looking to leave the Octagon on his terms and with a few more standout performances to add to his résumé.

What are your predictions for how Glover Teixeira’s 2022 will play out?

Continue Reading Glover Teixeira Plots ‘Perfect Plan’ For End Of UFC Career at MMA News.