Jiri Prochazka is tired of reading about fights he has not agreed to. So he said so himself.
The former light heavyweight champion took to Instagram to clarify that nothing is signed, writing that the fight is not confirmed yet and that he is still working on it. He added one thing he is certain about: he wants his preparation to be truly thorough.
He Also Told Fans To Stop Believing Everything
Prochazka went further, telling people not to believe every bit of nonsense on the internet. That is a blunt message from a fighter who has watched his name attached to several different opponents this year.
Back in April he expressed interest in facing either Paulo Costa or Magomed Ankalaev, with talk of an October return. A rumored UFC 332 matchup with Costa never materialized. Reports have since pointed toward a November date, but Prochazka’s own statement is the only source that matters here.
The Ulberg Loss Changed His Situation
Understanding why he is being careful requires revisiting April. Prochazka fought Carlos Ulberg for the vacant light heavyweight title at UFC 327 and got knocked out.
The sequence was brutal. The first round was competitive, and Ulberg appeared injured at one point. Prochazka could not capitalize. Ulberg recovered, landed a left hook, and finished him with follow-up strikes.
That is a title fight he had a path to winning, and he let it slip. Now sitting at 32-6-1, he is a former champion coming off a knockout loss in a championship bout, which is the most precarious position in the division.
His Caution Is The Right Instinct
Here is why I respect this approach. Prochazka’s entire appeal is his willingness to fight recklessly, to trade in the pocket and accept damage in order to deal it. That style has produced spectacular wins and spectacular losses.
A fighter with that style coming off a bad knockout needs a full camp more than almost anyone. Rushing back on a promoter’s timeline to fill a card is how former champions become gatekeepers, and Prochazka clearly knows it.
Prioritizing preparation over a quick booking is the least Prochazka thing he has ever done, and it is exactly what his career needs right now.
What The Division Looks Like
Ulberg holds the belt and has the momentum. Ankalaev remains a nightmare matchup for almost everyone. The division has moved past the era where Prochazka was the most dangerous man in it.
That does not mean he is finished. He is 33 with legitimate knockout power and a style nobody enjoys preparing for. One highlight-reel win puts him right back into title conversation.
My Prediction
Prochazka fights before the end of the year, and it will be against a ranked opponent rather than a title eliminator. The UFC will want him back on a card, and he will want a full camp first.
What I would avoid is booking him against Ankalaev immediately. Prochazka needs a win, and Ankalaev is the worst possible matchup for a fighter rebuilding confidence after a knockout.
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.