Czech fighter Jiri Prochaska expressed his perception that he’s the subsequent contender for the UFC mild heavyweight championship after competing at Octagon 79 in Brno on November 1st.
Jiri Prochaska declares subsequent match date
Talking to Patrick McCauley backstage on the occasion, Prochaska mentioned: “Sure, sure, I imagine I am subsequent,” including that he was aiming for his subsequent battle in April or March 2026.
The previous mild heavyweight champion turned the highest challenger at 205 kilos with a dramatic third-round knockout win over Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 320 on Oct. 4. Prochaska’s come-from-behind end at 3:04 of the ultimate spherical earned her each Battle of the Evening and Efficiency of the Evening bonus awards. The Czech fighter went into the battle with the opportunity of being eradicated from title rivalry after being decisively outclassed within the second spherical, however his chaotic placing method proved decisive within the third body, forcing Rountree to battle again uncontrollably.
Following his knockout win over former champion Jamahal Hill at UFC 311 in January, Prochaska’s UFC mild heavyweight document now stands at 6-2. His present place on the high of the division rankings displays his latest trajectory, however the path to championship gold stays sophisticated by a number of elements.
Present mild heavyweight champion Alex Pereira regained his belt at UFC 320 with a technical knockout of Magomed Ankalaev in simply 80 seconds. The Brazilian quickly introduced his intention to maneuver as much as heavyweight for a possible superfight with Jon Jones, publicly calling him out. Jones subsequently accepted the problem on social media, and each fighters expressed their enthusiasm for a showdown at UFC’s first White Home occasion, scheduled for June 14, 2026.
If Pereira pursues a heavyweight alternative, the UFC must relinquish the sunshine heavyweight title based mostly on the promotion’s present coverage, which requires champions to relinquish the belt when stepping as much as problem for a title in a better division. This situation would create a championship emptiness state of affairs, which many contenders see as a path to gold.
At Octagon 79, Prochaska additionally addressed potential choices if the division’s state of affairs modifications. The 32-year-old fighter has beforehand said that he considers combating for the championship to be his solely motivation, no matter his opponent’s id. “Whether or not it is Alex Pereira, Wolberg or Ankalaev, I simply need the chance to battle for the title,” Prochaska instructed a number of media retailers earlier than Octagon 79. Up-and-coming New Zealand fighter Carlos Wolberg has emerged instead title challenger, scoring a dominant first-round knockout win over Dominick Reyes at UFC Perth on September twenty seventh.
Prochaska has confronted Pereira twice within the UFC, dropping each occasions by technical knockout. The primary loss got here at UFC 295 in November 2023, with Pereira clinching the victory at 4:08 of the second spherical. Their rematch on June 29, 2024 at UFC 303 had an much more decisive ending with Pereira ending the battle simply 13 seconds into the second spherical. Regardless of these setbacks, Prochaska stays assured in her capability to carry out otherwise in a possible trilogy matchup.
“I will battle all these two video games and take what I’ve discovered from it and never repeat the errors. I will be higher and I am going to discover a method.”
