Tag: Jiri Prochazka

Jan Blachowicz to Have Eye Surgery Following Victory Over Rakic at UFC Vegas 54

Jan BlachowiczJan Blachowicz was successful in his UFC return on Saturday, but confirmed that he will undergo eye surgery on Monday following his victory over Aleksandar Rakic. With a third round TKO win over the Austrian, Blachowicz (29-9-0) likely solidified his position as the next in line for a title opportunity following next month’s UFC 275 […]

Jan Blachowicz

Jan Blachowicz was successful in his UFC return on Saturday, but confirmed that he will undergo eye surgery on Monday following his victory over Aleksandar Rakic.

With a third round TKO win over the Austrian, Blachowicz (29-9-0) likely solidified his position as the next in line for a title opportunity following next month’s UFC 275 bout between reigning champion Glover Teixeira and challenger Jiri Prochazka in Singapore; a fight Blachowicz has every intention to attend, but not before undergoing eye surgery this week.

“It’s OK, but I’m going to have some small surgery on Monday on this eye,” Blachowicz said during the post-fight press conference. “Doctor says maybe it’s going to be small, maybe going to be bigger. He don’t know yet. He need to check in the hospital.”

The injury occurred early in the first round of the main event and was clearly causing trouble for the Polish superstar. Blachowicz recalls the injury happening early in the bout, but was uncertain if it was the result of a punch or an unintentional eye poke.

“I don’t know,” he said. “I feel it when it happened. It was in the beginning of the first round, one of the first punches. I don’t see anything in the first round with this eye. [Commentator Michael Bisping] said it was a finger, Aleksandar said it was a punch.”

Jan Blachowicz Hopes His Win on Saturday Will Secure An Opportunity to Regain the Light Heavyweight Championship

With his victory over the No.3 ranked contender, Blachowicz will now turn his attention to regaining the light heavyweight championship he lost to Glover Texeira at UFC 267 in October.

“I hope so, that the UFC gives me another title shot, that I’m going to be next one,” Blachowicz said. “I was No 1, Rakic was No 3. For me it’s obvious that I’m the No 1 contender now for the title shot. I’ve never been in Singapore, so why not? I like traveling. I like being in new places. So if they want me I will go there. But first of all I need to fix the eye. I don’t know what they’re going to do.”

Prior to suffering a second round submission loss to Texeira, Blachowicz was riding a five fight win streak with victories over Luke Rockhold, Ronaldo Souza, Corey Anderson, Dominick Reyes and the UFC’s current middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya. 

Do you think Jan Blachowicz earned an opportunity to reclaim UFC gold with his victory over Aleksandar Rakic?

Glover Teixeira Offers Jan Blachowicz Title Shot After UFC 275

UFC light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira has offered Jan Blachowicz a chance at the belt after Teixeira’s scheduled title defense at UFC 275. The Brazilian champion posted the offer on Twitter during the fight card for UFC Vegas 54, which was headlined by Jan Blachowicz vs. Aleksandar Raki?. “Let’s go @JanBlachowicz Win tonight…and I’ll win…

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UFC light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira has offered Jan Blachowicz a chance at the belt after Teixeira’s scheduled title defense at UFC 275.

The Brazilian champion posted the offer on Twitter during the fight card for UFC Vegas 54, which was headlined by Jan Blachowicz vs. Aleksandar Raki?.

“Let’s go @JanBlachowicz Win tonight…and I’ll win Jun 11…then we run it back”

Teixeira challenged Blachowicz for the latter’s light heavyweight title at UFC 267, winning the fight by rear-naked choke in the second round. That matchup was Teixeira’s second shot at UFC gold after the Brazilian lost a unanimous decision to longtime light heavyweight king Jon Jones in 2014.

Blachowicz has already done his part to make the rematch a possibility. The Polish fighter emerged from his main event fight against Raki? with a third-round TKO victory, albeit probably not in the way he expected. After the light heavyweights split the first two rounds, Raki?’s knee suddenly gave out just over a minute into the third. The fight was quickly called off, and Blachowicz was awarded the TKO win.

The victory against Raki? was Blachowicz’s first fight since losing the title to Teixeira at UFC 267. Although the result might carry an asterisk for some people, Blachowicz had been fighting well up to the point of Raki?’s injury. The 39-year old former champion entered the fight as the underdog but won the first round before being out grappled by Raki? in the second.

It’s now up to Glover Teixeira to hold up his end of the bargain and successfully defend the light heavyweight belt on June 11 at UFC 275. Currently lined as the underdog, the 42-year old Teixeira will defend his title against Czech finisher Ji?í Procházka. Procházka has only fought twice in the UFC but won both fights by second-round knockout, and he’s currently on a 12-fight win streak dating back to 2015.

What do you think about Teixeira’s offer? Is a rematch between him and Blachowicz the fight to make if Teixeira successfully defends his title at UFC 275?

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Jan Blachowicz And Glover Teixeira Both Want To Run Back A 2nd Fight

Jan BlachowiczFormer UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz got the job done against Aleksandar Rakic, earning himself another title shot, but Glover Teixeira still has some work to do to run back a second fight. Blachowicz won by an unordinary outcome, as Rakic took a step back and looked like he may have blown his knee […]

Jan Blachowicz

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz got the job done against Aleksandar Rakic, earning himself another title shot, but Glover Teixeira still has some work to do to run back a second fight.

Blachowicz won by an unordinary outcome, as Rakic took a step back and looked like he may have blown his knee out. Rakic got up and could barely put pressure on his knee. The fight to that point was a rather close one, and Rakic was coming off a dominant second round. Blachowicz walked away with a TKO victory and even went on to tell Rakic that he will one day be the light heavyweight champion as well.

Coming into the fight, Teixeira was already rooting for Blachowicz. He wanted to see him win, this way they could have a rematch after he defends his title agains Jiri Prochazka. Prochazka unfortunately for Teixaira, may be the most dangerous fighter in the entire division, so beating him will be no small task.

Before the fight Teixeira tweeted out in support of Blachowicz.

“Let’s go @JanBlachowicz Win tonight…and I’ll win Jun 11…then we run it back”

Jan Blachowicz answered Teixeiras call with a big win and he is excited to be able to possibly run the fight back

Michael Bisping interviewed Blachowicz after his big win and told hm about Teixeira’s message.

“I was focused on my fight so I don’t check the social media, but I’ll check it now.” Blachowicz said “Glover I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you and I hope so, we going to fight again.”

The first fight, Teixeira became the oldest champion to win the belt at the age of 42, when he defeated Blachowicz. He was able to submit him in the second round by rear naked choking him.

Would you like to see these two run it back?

Teixeira Says “Smart” Is The Name Of The Game For Procházka Defense

UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Glover Teixeira is hoping to be smart and use his wealth of experience when he faces the challenge of knockout machine Ji?í Procházka. In one of the most unlikely crownings of 2021, only pipped to the post by Julianna Peña in that regard, Teixeira reached the 205-pound mountaintop at the age…

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UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Glover Teixeira is hoping to be smart and use his wealth of experience when he faces the challenge of knockout machine Ji?í Procházka.

In one of the most unlikely crownings of 2021, only pipped to the post by Julianna Peña in that regard, Teixeira reached the 205-pound mountaintop at the age of 42. In the main event of UFC 267 last October, the Brazilian took on Jan Blachowicz for the belt.

The Polish powerhouse secure this place on the throne by knocking out Dominick Reyes in 2020, and handed Israel Adesanya his first professional MMA loss in his first defense in March 2021. With his form in mind, not many backed Teixeira to upset the odds.

But in the second round in Abu Dhabi, the term ‘age is just a number’ manifested itself into a rear-naked choke, one that helped Teixeira join Randy Couture in the 40+ champions’ club.

In 2022, Teixeira isn’t planning on slowing down. He wants to further cement his place at the top by defending his title. If he’s to do so, he’ll have to get past a surging European with KO power across the board, be it in his elbows, hands, or feet.

Teixeira: “I Don’t Have Too Many Secrets”

Given the task he has ahead of him at UFC 275 on June 11, many will be wondering how Teixeira plans on approaching a contest against a striker as unique and unorthodox as Procházka.

For the champ, the answer is simple: prepare and fight smart.

During an interview with BT Sport’s Caroline Pearce earlier this year, Teixeira acknowledged the danger his Czech foe possesses, especially with his movement and creative standup game. But the Brazilian believes he simply has to be smart with his approach and do what always does; finish the fight.

“He’s a very good fighter. He’s very dangerous because he moves and throws strikes in all different ways,” Teixeira said. “I’ve just gotta be smart about this fight and do my thing. What I do is just get in there and finish the fight.”

While a smart game plan will no doubt be key come his first title defense, Teixeira says his immense experience on MMA’s biggest stage will undoubtedly prove to be a benefit against a relative newcomer like “Denisa.”

“Experience is a benefit, you can’t deny that. For sure it’s a benefit that they’re (other contenders) young and explosive and they train, but it’s one of those things where what they’re doing now, I’ve already done it,” added Teixeira. “So, right now, I’ve just gotta be smart and do my thing. Like I say, be smart about it; do my training the way I’ve been doing lately. And I don’t have too many secrets. You see my fights, you know what I’m going to do.”

Who do you think will have their hand raised at UFC 275, Glover Teixeira or Ji?í Procházka?

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St-Pierre Backs “Very Dangerous” Procházka For UFC Title Glory

Former middleweight and welterweight UFC champion Georges St-Pierre has given his mark of approval for the title charge of light heavyweight knockout artist Ji?í Procházka. Not many have lived up to their reputation once joining the UFC as emphatically as Procházka has. The native of the Czech Republic was signed by the MMA leader after…

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Former middleweight and welterweight UFC champion Georges St-Pierre has given his mark of approval for the title charge of light heavyweight knockout artist Ji?í Procházka.

Not many have lived up to their reputation once joining the UFC as emphatically as Procházka has. The native of the Czech Republic was signed by the MMA leader after 30 professional fights, during which he recorded a staggering 23 knockouts in 26 wins and held 205-pound gold in the renowned Rizin promotion.

Two UFC contenders have learned about Procházka’s power the hard way. First was Volkan Oezdemir in 2020, whose attempt to crash the welcoming party ended with a nap on the canvas courtesy of a brutal right hand.

Then came the turn of former title challenger Dominick Reyes, who was on the wrong side of a KO of the Year contender after being slept by a truly vicious spinning back elbow at UFC Vegas 25 last May.

Procházka puts a lot of his success down to his following of Bushido principles and Samurai values. One man who’s also compared his mentality to that of a Samurai is UFC legend and GOAT contender St-Pierre, who has nothing but good things to say about the surging light heavyweight.

St-Pierre Touts Procházka As “Future World Champion”

During an interview with MMA News’ own James Lynch, St-Pierre was asked to comment on the rise of Procházka.

The Canadian, who certainly knows a thing or two about reaching the top in the UFC, predicted huge things for the 29-year-old, providing that his yet-to-be-seen ground game is sufficient in dealing with the division’s grappling specialists.

“100% (I enjoy watching him). He’s very dangerous. And he’s a great striker,” noted St-Pierre. “But I think, maybe his ground game, we haven’t seen him too much on the ground. He’s never been exposed that much. That’s the thing, a lot of guys, they haven’t been exposed.

“I’m curious to see him compete more. But he’s very impressive. I think he’s going to be the future world champion,” St-Pierre predicted to MMA News.

If there’s one man in the division who can ‘expose’ Procházka on the ground, as GSP put it, it’s the Czech striker’s next opponent, Glover Teixeira. The pair are set to collide for light heavyweight gold in the main event of UFC 275 on June 11. The card is expected to mark the promotion’s return to Singapore.

Should “Denisa” successfully deal with the grappling game of the champion, which helped him to dethrone Jan Blachowicz at the age of 42 last October, then perhaps St-Pierre’s prediction will be coming true as soon as this summer.

Check out our full interview with MMA legend Georges St-Pierre below:

Do you agree with Georges St-Pierre? Is Ji?í Procházka a future UFC champion?

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Glover Teixeira Vs. Jiri Prochazka Moved To UFC 275

Glover Teixeira, Jiri ProchazkaUFC light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira will have to wait a bit longer to put his title on the line against Jiri Prochazka. It’s unclear what the reasoning is for the push-back, but Teixeira will now face Prochazka at UFC 275 in June. Teixeira announced the news during a recent interview with Canal Combate. Teixeira […]

Glover Teixeira, Jiri Prochazka

UFC light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira will have to wait a bit longer to put his title on the line against Jiri Prochazka.

It’s unclear what the reasoning is for the push-back, but Teixeira will now face Prochazka at UFC 275 in June. Teixeira announced the news during a recent interview with Canal Combate.

Teixeira earned the title over Jan Blachowicz in a massive upset at UFC 267. At 42-years-old, he has shattered the notion that veterans can’t still compete for UFC titles.

Glover Teixeira Vs. Jiri Prochazka Delayed For Undisclosed Reasons

UFC 275 doesn’t have a specific date or location as of yet, but that could be changed in the coming weeks. The winner of Teixeira vs. Prochazka could face a slew of contenders at 205 pounds.

Prochazka has been on a tear with 12 straight victories, including back-to-back wins over Volkan Oezdemir and Dominick Reyes to begin his UFC tenure. Before making it to the UFC and getting the shot against Teixeira, Prochazka earned dominant wins in Rizin over C.B. Dollaway and Fabio Maldonado.

Teixeira has fought all of the top light heavyweights since he first debuted for the promotion back in 2012. After falling short of a title against Jon Jones at UFC 172, Teixeira would win five straight over the likes of Thiago Santos and Anthony Smith to secure the title shot against Blachowicz.

the UFC light heavyweight title picture is quite interesting, to say the least. Santos will face Magomed Ankalaev in just a couple of weeks, and the winner could get either Teixeira or Prochazka next.

Teixeira’s last challenger, Blachowicz will face Aleksandar Rakic later this year. The fight was supposed to take place next month but was called off due to Blachowicz suffering an injury.

What is your prediction for Glover Teixeira vs. Jiri Prochazka?