With the crowd at Intuit Dome on his back, Jiri Prochazka went back to his old “Samurai” ways at UFC 311 PPV. While in his usual peculiar element, Prochazka climbed to a third-round knockout of Jamahal Hill. It was an entertaining scrap between former UFC light heavyweight champions. However, for a few fleeting moments in the early frames, it looked like the Czech fighter was letting his hands hang loose. Joe Rogan and co. noted as much.
In the first round, both men successfully charged and changed hands. But Prochazka beat “Sweet Dreams” to the punch with a hard left knockdown early. Hill was bleeding through the nose, all through the rounds afterward. Rogan and others noticed Prochazka had a flow state, bouncing with his hands not up, feinting, and landing in a surprise clinic as he always does. With the success he found, he later dumbed down the assessment.
F*ck them [chuckles]…I worked on that so much on that, …that…you should see that…Yea [it was going through head] …[People] messaged me every day: ‘You have to keep your hands up.’ So OK, I will do that for this fight. Like I said – I believe in my senses, I believe in my feeling…in a fight. In my head movement.
Jiri Prochazka during UFC 311 PPV Post-fight conference fighter interviews
The Team Jetsaam Gym Brno fighter has never been mainstream orthodox in his training methods or fighting. Prochazka (31-5-1 MMA, 5-2 UFC) once defended a straight jab with his forehead! The Czechia sensation depends on vibing the next attack in a flow state and then answering with explosive karate-like movements. It isn’t uncommon, as he often incorporates it as part of his global camp.
Jiri Prochazka reacts to the broadcast team criticizing him for keeping his hands down at #UFC311:
“F*ck them. I worked on that so much.” pic.twitter.com/5RgYU728ML
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) January 19, 2025
The former UFC 205-pound champ has found success with it. Even while battling Alex Pereira at UFC 295 PPV, until “Poatan” would read his flow and close distance. Hence, Prochazka now takes the mickey out of Rogan and his PPV commentary assignment comrades. A portent of the final frame, hanging loose, saw him stun Hill with a right. One that had him thinking of a finish, which he got. This marks quite a big win for the ex-champ.
Freshly shorn “Samurai” Jiri Prochazka earns $50,000 performance bonus for late swarm and KO
Prochazka defeated former light heavyweight prodigal champ Jamahal Hill via TKO (strikes), R3, at around 3:01. The 32-year-old got the finish after dropping him in the last frame and swarming him for some ground and pounds. This was a chapter years in the making.
Jiri Prochazka wins UFC 311 POTN Bonus for late shine KO (Source: X)Prochazka submitted Glover Teixeira to win the title strap in June 2022. He later relinquished it due to his injury. Pereira defeated him to capture the then-vacant 205-pound gold at UC 295. But the calm samurai moved on with a second-round TKO at UFC 300, knocking out Alexsandar Rakic.
The fighter lost a second bid against “Poatan” and said he’d need to improve if he ever wants to climb back up the pecking order. UFC 311 was a really good chance at that. Prochazka demonstrated free-flow head movement and a striking pattern that is rare but gold. One that won him big bucks for it.
Made a STATEMENT 👊@Jiri_BJP is now tied for the most light heavyweight finishes in the UFC since 2020 with five! #UFC311 pic.twitter.com/Cer4C5iFXE
— UFC (@ufc) January 19, 2025
They left it ALL in the Octagon!@Malhadinho_UFC & @Jiri_BJP earned tonight’s POTN award! 💰
[ B2YB: @PrimeHydrate ] pic.twitter.com/Cqi4WKO6Mt
— UFC (@ufc) January 19, 2025
After UFC 311, four fighters picked up an extra $50,000 in performance bonuses. Prochazka won Performance of the Night (POTN) for taking ex-champ Hill to the deep waters. Despite two losses to current roost ruler Pereira, he put himself back in talks for another crack.
The champ already has his next assignment. It is now confirmed for the next PPV, Live From T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, in March. Speaking with roving reporter Megan Olivi for ESPN MMA, Pereira and Plinio Cruz confirmed that they might just give Prochazka another go.
Stay Updated!
Join our newsletter to receive exclusive updates and curated insights directly to your inbox.
