Jiri Prochazka, known for his warrior mindset and unorthodox training, is determined to reclaim the light heavyweight title from Alex Pereira at UFC 303 after losing to him previously, emphasizing his readiness and belief in himself.
Jiri Prochazka is always prepared.
That mindset has come in handy for Prochazka. He has a chance to regain the light heavyweight title when he rematches Alex Pereira at UFC 303 in Las Vegas this Saturday.
Prochazka lost via TKO to Pereira in their first fight in November 2023. But he rebounded with a knockout of Aleksandar Rakic, keeping his place in the contenders’ line.
Though Prochazka and Pereira were likely to cross paths sometime this year, it came as a surprise to many when they were announced as the new headliner for UFC 303. This followed Conor McGregor’s injury withdrawal from the originally scheduled main event opposite Michael Chandler.
Prochazka himself still isn’t sure why Pereira agreed to defend the title on short notice.
“I was a little bit surprised by that, I can say yes,” Prochazka said on The MMA Hour. “Because I don’t know what was the reason he said yes, if it’s money or something else.”
He added, “Communication with me from the UFC—they gave me some better—I don’t want to be concrete, but we negotiated about better money. So I don’t know how it was with Alex.”
“But I didn’t know about the money or whatever when I accepted [the fight], so for me this is not so important because the main point is to get the title and bring it back to Czech Republic,” Prochazka added.
Prochazka has kept busy for most of the last decade. He fought 15 times since 2016 and lost just once during that stretch.
He defeated Pereira’s mentor Glover Teixeira for a vacant UFC light heavyweight title in 2022 but never got the chance to defend it after a shoulder injury led him to relinquish the belt.
The 31-year-old is eager to make up for lost time and welcomes any short-notice opportunity that comes his way.
“I believe in that,” Prochazka said. “I was born like a warrior—not I believe in that, I am a warrior.”
“And this is just about when situations and things around you come like that, you have to just say yes,” he continued. “To react to what happened.”
“Because when something happens on the street, you need to react right now,” he emphasized. “Right here, right now.”
“That’s what I like about short notice,” he concluded. “You have to react right now, right here. Show me your best right now.”
The only setback Prochazka has seen recently came at UFC 295 against Pereira. Pereira won a vacant title after hurting Prochazka with strikes late in the second round.
There was some controversy around the stoppage as it was unclear how close Prochazka was to actually being finished.
Asked if Saturday’s main event is his chance for revenge, Prochazka offered a semantic counter:
“Not just a chance,” he said emphatically. “I will win the fight.”
“I will win and I believe in that,” he asserted. “I will do that; that’s all.”
“I will not step into a fight where I don’t believe in myself,” he explained further. “I’ve already accepted that I’ll do everything.”
“And right now is a great chance to show that,” he concluded confidently.
Prochazka has become well-known for his stoic persona as much as his thrilling battles. Little is known about his life outside of fighting.
When Prochazka posts on social media, it’s often about his unorthodox training and preparation methods.
The light heavyweight contender assures fans he’s well-rounded but admits competing remains his sole focus—a focus enriching his life overall:
“I just accept this lifestyle,” Prochazka said earnestly. “And I’ve promised myself I’ll do everything to achieve mastery.”
“To be master of my field—that’s something that’s always on my mind.”
“That’s me; that’s my soul; that’s my lifestyle.”
“So that’s why I’m doing this.”
“That’s why I wake up early—to run and then meditate.”
“When you realize you’re just consciousness—how clear your consciousness determines your life’s quality—that’s been game-changing for me.”
“You’ll start eating cleaner; speaking cleaner; having better relationships—with friends; girlfriends; family.”
“You’ll naturally become good—not start being good—everyone’s inherently good inside themselves.”
“That’s why there’s no opponent out there—only one opponent exists: here (points inward). That’s ego—the thing keeping us passive against what we want but don’t pursue.”
< P >“Once accepting warrior way—not merely fighter—but inner warrior battling weaknesses—everything changes.”