Jiri Prochazka aims to reclaim the UFC light heavyweight title by defeating Jamahal Hill at UFC 311, hoping a victory will eventually lead to a third fight with current champion Alex Pereira, from whom he has learned valuable lessons after previous losses.
Jiri Prochazka’s got his eyes set on reclaiming the UFC light heavyweight title. Sure, winning it back would be a big deal, but beating the guy who stopped him twice? That’d mean everything.
Prochazka’s gearing up to face Jamahal Hill at UFC 311 in LA on Jan 18. Both fighters recently fell to Alex Pereira earlier this year. For Prochazka, it was the second time—ouch. He wants to leave that behind but learned valuable lessons from the loss.
“I took the best from that,” Prochazka told MMA Fighting. It wasn’t just about that night’s performance. Preparation needed a shake-up, and he spent months figuring out what to change. Ready for the next round.
Every fight is a learning curve, win or lose. Each battle offers a chance to glean something valuable from the experience.
Prochazka nabbed the title in an epic showdown with Glover Teixeira at UFC 275 in June 2022. Unfortunately, an injury stopped him from defending it against Teixeira again at UFC 282. He vacated the title, which Hill then claimed at UFC 283.
Fate had other plans as Hill vacated due to injury, leading Prochazka to face Pereira for the vacant title at UFC 295. The result? Stopped in round two.
Getting another shot at Pereira while he’s champ seems nearly impossible. Still, Prochazka believes defeating Hill could open doors—a destiny thing, perhaps?
“You might think I’m nuts,” Prochazka said, “but I’m working on becoming champion again.” Right now, he’s focused on Hill, then we’ll see who’s champ next.
If it’s Alex, fighting him would be monumental—a fight of a lifetime for Prochazka.
A second reign would be about doing it right this time. After his war with Teixeira, being champ felt like destiny, but he didn’t savor it as he should have.
If Dana White wraps that belt around him again, Prochazka vows to honor the tradition properly this time.
“Maybe I didn’t realize how big it was before,” he admitted. “I took it for granted—I’m the champ, that’s all.”
Now, he wants another shot at glory—with gratitude and humility. Appreciating life’s gift of another chance in the ring. That’s where he’s at now.