Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka isn’t backing down from his pursuit of gold. Fresh off two straight wins, the Czech star remains focused on reclaiming the 205-pound title, but he’s not ruling out a move to middleweight if another shot at Alex Pereira doesn’t come soon.
Jiri Prochazka kept his top contender status alive in October with a stunning third-round knockout of Khalil Rountree at UFC 320. The win marked his second in a row after stopping Jamahal Hill earlier this year, pushing his record to 6-2 in the UFC, with both losses coming against his fierce rival, Pereira.
Pereira, who currently reigns as the light heavyweight champion, has hinted at a potential move to heavyweight for a superfight with Jon Jones. That possibility could open the division and clear the path for Prochazka to return as one-half of a vacant title fight. But if “Poatan” stays put, a trilogy bout might be the next logical move.
In a recent interview with Michael Bisping, Jiri Prochazka made it clear that his first goal is to regain the title he once held before considering any drop down in weight.
“For this question about middleweight, I will go there, but only after I win the title fight in light heavyweight,” Prochazka said. “That’s the point, I want to bring the belt back to Czech Republic.”
Still, the 32-year-old admitted that if a title opportunity doesn’t materialise, he might consider drastic measures.
“For me to cut to 93 kg is not a problem,” he told Cageside Press at Oktagon 79. “To 84 kg, middleweight, will be really something. I believe I can make it with my body because I know my body. But first, I want to bring the light heavyweight title back home.”
It’s not an easy path. Jiri Prochazka has already suffered two knockout losses to Pereira, first at UFC 295 for the vacant title, then again in their rematch at UFC 303 after Prochazka’s win over Aleksandar Rakic. But his comeback victories over Hill and Rountree show that the fire is still there.
When asked about his slow starts in fights, Prochazka admitted it’s something he’s constantly working on.
“All my life I’ve been learning to start earlier, to be more energetic before the fight,” he said. “But there is nothing realer than the fight itself. When I face a real challenge and see the prize I want, that’s when I go full power.”
Whether Pereira moves up or stays to defend his belt, Jiri Prochazka insists his mission remains unchanged.
“Like I said after my fight, I want the trilogy,” he stated. “If Pereira fights Jones, I wish them the best. But my next move is for the title. It doesn’t matter who the opponent is.”
If the path to the belt closes again, dropping to middleweight could be the next evolution for Prochazka’s career, a new weight, a new challenge, and perhaps another chance to make history.
