Jiri Prochazka is talking out after his disappointing loss at UFC 303 to gentle heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.
Prochazka and Pereira beforehand clashed at UFC 295 in November 2023. It was a aggressive battle that noticed Jiri aggressively pursuing Alex, placing “Poatan” on the backfoot. “The Czech Samurai” would win the primary spherical on all three judges scorecards. However a sloppy takedown try within the second led to a barrage of elbows to Prochazka’s temple and a stoppage moments later.
Prochazka fought extra tentatively for the rematch on Saturday evening in Las Vegas. The gameplan didn’t serve him properly: “Poatan” attacked with little pushback, knocking his opponent down badly within the last second of spherical 1. Spherical 2 ended moments after it began with a headkick knockout (watch the end right here).
It was a crushing defeat, and Jiri Prochazka was stoic however clearly upset as he recorded a video assertion concerning the outcome.
“Thanks for all of your help,” he stated to the followers. “Due to you, Alex, for a battle. He was higher. And just one factor goes on in my thoughts: that I must evolve to the following stage, or don’t battle once more. So it’s easy. To be the strongest, that is the best way. Thanks.”
It’s a tricky loss for Jiri, particularly when you think about he’s now 0-2 in opposition to a dominant champion. Fighters don’t often get a 3rd crack at an opponent after shedding twice, particularly this badly by way of knockout. So till “Poatan” drops the belt, Prochazka could possibly be caught in gentle heavyweight limbo.
It’s not all unhealthy information, although. Jiri has had a really profitable first half of 2024: he was undoubtedly paid very properly to step up for UFC 303, and simply cashed a UFC 300 bonus value $300,000. Whereas he’d undoubtedly commerce all of it for championship gold, we have now a sense he’ll observe by means of on his vow to evolve relatively than give up.
As for Alex Pereira, he had some form phrases for the challenger.
“I want him a speedy restoration for every thing,” he stated by means of a translator on the UFC 303 post-fight press convention. “I do know he speak loads about spirituality. Simply so he is aware of, the identical god that blessed us is the one which protects us. I pray loads for him and for me to be wholesome after this battle.”
