Jiri Prochazka has now lost twice against Alex Pereira while trying to get back his UFC light heavyweight title. In the last fight, Prochazka was knocked out by the champion. This has forced the Czech fighter to make some tough decisions. However, the recent loss of Israel Adesanya against Dricus Du Plessis made it easier for the Czech star to make a choice.
At UFC 305, Israel Adesanya lost his opportunity to defeat Dricus Du Plessis and win back the middleweight championship. He was submitted by the South African, who successfully got his first-ever title defense. However, this has prompted Prochazka to cut down more weight and move to the middleweight division.
I’ve been considering that if Adesanya wins, I’ll stay in the light heavyweight division, but if du Plessis wins I’ll follow him…I’ll clear things up a bit there and take the belt… it would certainly be a challenge for me to go for the belt in the [middleweight] division. And then move up.
Jiri Prochazka via his YouTube channel
Prochazka and Adesanya are from the same management company, Chosen Advisory. As a result, the Czech superstar didn’t want to fight Izzy. However, with the ‘Last Stylebender’ out of the middleweight title picture, the ‘Samurai’ wants to go against DDP.
Jiri Prochazka is considering a move down to middleweight following Dricus du Plessis’ win 👀
“I’ve been considering that if Adesanya wins, I’ll stay in the light heavyweight division, but if du Plessis wins I’ll follow him.
I’ll clear things up a bit there and take the belt…… pic.twitter.com/YnV13CYtmp
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 25, 2024
Going into the fight against Pereira, Prochazka suffered a staph infection, which might have affected his performance. Even after losing two fights against Pereira, Prochazka was still confident about winning against the Brazilian in the future. However, given the massive size and power difference between the fighters, it won’t be that easy.
Is Jiri Prochazka ‘too small’ for the light heavyweight division?
Jiri Prochazka made his UFC debut in 2020 with an impressive knockout victory over Volkan Oezdemir. The Czech fighter continued that momentum and won the light heavyweight championship in 2022. However, his injury forced the fighter to vacate the belt, which he never reclaimed.
Jiri Prochazka (via X)Prochazka has mostly fought in the light heavyweight division. Now, with no return to the light heavyweight title picture, Prochazka needs a career direction. Meanwhile, the middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis suggested that Prochazka should try to move down in an interview. The champion’s reasoning might be shocking.
I think Prochazka needs to go down to [middleweight]. I saw Prochazka’s weight in the PI and I think he’s too small for [light heavyweight]. He walks around lighter than I do, I know that.
Dricus Du Plessis via Shadow Banned
Dricus du Plessis says that Jiri Prochazka “walks around lighter” than he does, and mentioned that he should move down to middleweight:
“I think Prochazka needs to go down to [middleweight]. I saw Prochazka’s weight in the PI and I think he’s too small for [light heavyweight].… pic.twitter.com/jxvsjwuDgm
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 24, 2024
Top light heavyweight competitor Magomed Ankalaev said the same thing about Jiri Prochazka and urged him to step down. The middleweight category has been one of the most entertaining in recent memory. Sean Strickland, Khamzat Chimaev, Robert Whittaker, Paulo Costa, and Bo Nickal remain dream matchups for the Czech fighter. If a move does happen, then the excitement will increase tenfold.
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