Jiri Prochazka doesn’t need to waste time returning to the championship throne.
Sadly for the previous UFC gentle heavyweight champion, he’s misplaced his final two makes an attempt on the title in opposition to the identical man, Alex Pereira, inside 10 months. Subsequently, Prochazka is now resorting to exploring different potentialities corresponding to a stab on the middleweight division.
Prochazka, 31, seems as one of many bigger fighters in his 205-pound division however is assured he might minimize down. The Czech Republic native has briefly teased the concept of adjusting weight lessons since his second-round knockout loss to Pereira at UFC 303 in June. In a brand new interview launched yesterday and recorded earlier than UFC 305, Prochazka revealed his plans. These of which hinged on the end result of the UFC 305 essential occasion that noticed the champion Dricus du Plessis efficiently defend his title in opposition to Israel Adesanya.
“If Adesanya wins, I’ll keep within the gentle heavyweight division, but when Du Plessis wins, I’ll observe him,” Prochazka stated on his YouTube channel (h/t MMA Mania). “I’ll clear issues up a bit there and take the belt. However I really feel good and powerful within the gentle heavyweight division, although the blokes there are a bit heavier. Virtually all of them. So I’ve to say that I’ve no drawback bodily and strength-wise, or in any approach, with clearing them out.
“However it might definitely be a problem for me to go for the belt within the 185-pound division after which transfer up. However I’ll actually let it move and see the way it unfolds.”
Du Plessis, 30, continued his thrilling run with a end in opposition to Adesanya when he scored the fourth-round face crank submission. With that win, he turned the primary to submit Adesanya in 28 fights (24-4).
Instantly after the win, Du Plessis was offered with the concept of a Pereira champion vs. champion conflict that doesn’t sound too probably anytime quickly. Particularly as Pereira additionally had his subsequent title protection booked for UFC 307 in opposition to Khalil Rountree Jr. in October.
In the end, it might be one other “weird in one of the best methods” sort of matchup for the previous gentle heavyweight champion Prochazka in opposition to Du Plessis. In case you don’t bear in mind, quite a lot of the wacky enjoyable surrounding the Pereira-Prochazka rematch was the surface elemental spirits and voodoo — or one thing like that — accompanied by their ultra-entertaining hanging skills.
No matter it was, Prochazka says he has shifted the vitality positively.
“As for the black magic, over the previous yr, I’ve channeled that vitality into different issues, began focusing an excessive amount of on completely different sources of power somewhat than solely by myself,” Prochazka stated when requested about Pereira. “And I believe that was the primary problem; then got here the magic and all these different issues. That simply got here together with it.
“Seeing that Pereira was doing sure issues, I simply grabbed onto that. And I, by indulging in these practices, fell into the identical entice as [Aleksandar] Rakic did earlier than the combat by speaking about me and labeling me in a sure approach. I’ve by no means paid consideration to the opponent’s trash discuss earlier than, and I by no means will once more. As a result of it’s only a signal of insecurity and weak point, and in some way it simply crept in. Now it’s time to work on it.”
Retired. Ronda Rousey shuts down any hope for a UFC comeback: ‘I’m not neurologically match to compete anymore’
Contenders. Alex Pereira didn’t count on Khalil Rountree Jr. subsequent, however Magomed ‘Ankalaev didn’t need to combat me’
Predictions. Caio Borralho expects Sean Strickland to beat Dricus du Plessis, however ‘I all the time guess in opposition to Dricus and he all the time wins’
Endurance. Matt Brown: Conor McGregor is ‘gone,’ Michael Chandler going to ‘find yourself regretting’ that he waited this lengthy
Daring. Chael Sonnen expects Khalil Rountree to ‘stroll by means of’ Alex Pereira at UFC 307: ‘That’s the worst matchup’
Chief. Gerald Meerschaert reacts to breaking Anderson Silva’s report with wild UFC Vegas 96 comeback
Objectives. Diego Lopes assured Brian Ortega makes weight for UFC 306, title shot ‘received’t be that far’ with win
$$$. UFC Vegas 96 bonuses: Gerald Meerschaert locks up $50K with record-breaking end
UFC Vegas 96 Put up Present.
Enemy territory.
Legendary begins.
RIZIN Confessions 159.
Full fights (and match).
PFL DC Highlights.
Merab vlog.
Previous opponents to sparring companions.
Go to Twitter, use the #MorningReport hashtag, or discover certainly one of my tweets with it, and drop me a jam you’re at present actually into. I’ll choose one of the best one alongside my day by day selection and offer you a shoutout! It’s also possible to share within the feedback beneath — these are simply tougher to sift by means of generally!
This month’s full playlist:
Ilia two belts.
What’s up, boss?
Celebration.
Subsequent up.
Fairly good debut for Wang Cong.
Champ!
Chef Khabib.
Plans.
Jamal Hill time to eat your phrases. Prepare for Abu Dhabi. You’re formally the backup
— Magomed Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM) August 23, 2024
Loopy kicks, man.
Banter.
Motion.
Good sport.
Nasty.
Madness.
LMS.
Crumbled.
Final dance.
Throwback.
Scouting.
昨日は #RIZIN甲子園 のトライアウトの2ndラウンドでした！
出場してくれた30名の選手達のレベルが高く、どの選手からもプロ格闘家として自身の未来に賭ける強い思いと情熱を感じました。
3rdラウンドに進んだ8名の選手達には、とにかく小さくまとまらずに負ける勇気を持って勝ちに来て欲しいです！ https://t.co/ThE6h04GZn pic.twitter.com/aXNVVQQxFg— 榊 原信行 Nobuyuki Sakakibara (@nobu_sakakibara) August 26, 2024
Kanako Murata (12-3) vs. Jeong Huron Seon (0-0); Ganryujima Digital Survival 2, Sept. 7
Brandon Royval (16-7) vs. Tatsuro Taira (16-0); UFC Vegas 98, Oct. 12
Jed goes to be ecstatic about this Jiri improvement. I too look ahead to the combat if we get it. Oh, how absurd it might be.
Thanks for studying!
Final Week’s Outcomes:
Friday: 43% of 364 complete votes answered “No” when requested, “Would you somewhat see Dan Hooker combat Conor McGregor than Michael Chandler?”
Thursday: 68% of 574 complete votes answered “Sure” when requested, “Will there be a end in Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway?”
Wednesday: 91% of 236 complete votes answered “No” when requested, “Will Mike Tyson field once more after the Jake Paul match?”
Tuesday: 74% of 426 complete votes answered “No” when requested, “Will Israel Adesanya combat once more earlier than 2024 is over?”
Monday: 52% of 363 complete votes answered “Sure” when requested, “Do you may have any curiosity in a possible Alex Pereira vs. Dricus du Plessis combat?”
As we speak’s exit ballot:
Ballot
Can Jiri Prochazka be a champion at middleweight?
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