Jiri Prochazka
Denisa
Czech Republic
Storms back for massive victory
Prochazka defeated Khalil Rountree via KO (punches) at 3:04 of Round 3 at UFC 320 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
On the whole, this was probably Prochazka's worst performance in quite some time. For two rounds, he could get nothing going. He looked lethargic, was undisciplined defensively and seemed to be struggling with his both his legs. Then, at the start of Round 3, clearly down 20-18, Jiri simply made it one of the wild brawls we are accustomed to seeing with him, and he found himself victorious shortly thereafter. The significant strikes in the final frame were 47-27 in Prochazka's favor. Through two rounds, it was 39-24 in favor of Rountree. Jiri will be 33 years of age shortly and is just 3-2 in his past five fights, but he's must-see TV every single time he steps into the Octagon and still firmly finds himself in title contention at 205 pounds. This will also go down as one of the most financially lucrative nights of Prochazka's career, as he was awarded two post-fight bonuses -- $50,000 for Performance of the Night, and another $50,000 for Fight of the Night. That gives him eight total bonuses in eight appearances with the company.
On the whole, this was probably Prochazka's worst performance in quite some time. For two rounds, he could get nothing going. He looked lethargic, was undisciplined defensively and seemed to be struggling with his both his legs. Then, at the start of Round 3, clearly down 20-18, Jiri simply made it one of the wild brawls we are accustomed to seeing with him, and he found himself victorious shortly thereafter. The significant strikes in the final frame were 47-27 in Prochazka's favor. Through two rounds, it was 39-24 in favor of Rountree. Jiri will be 33 years of age shortly and is just 3-2 in his past five fights, but he's must-see TV every single time he steps into the Octagon and still firmly finds himself in title contention at 205 pounds. This will also go down as one of the most financially lucrative nights of Prochazka's career, as he was awarded two post-fight bonuses -- $50,000 for Performance of the Night, and another $50,000 for Fight of the Night. That gives him eight total bonuses in eight appearances with the company.
Fight Log
Loading Fight Log...
More Fantasy News
Fighting Rountree in October
Prochazka will fight Khalil Rountree at UFC 320 on Oct. 4, according to UFC President Dana White (via Instagram Live).
ANALYSIS
Prochazka will look to stay winning after a solid bounce-back TKO over Jamahal Hill in January, following a title loss to Alex Pereira last summer. The 6-foot-4 light heavyweight will take on another veteran fighter in Rountree, who also is coming off a win over Hill. Prochazka and Rountree both are entering October with much to prove as older fighters, which should make for an entertaining watch with lots of swinging.
Prochazka will look to stay winning after a solid bounce-back TKO over Jamahal Hill in January, following a title loss to Alex Pereira last summer. The 6-foot-4 light heavyweight will take on another veteran fighter in Rountree, who also is coming off a win over Hill. Prochazka and Rountree both are entering October with much to prove as older fighters, which should make for an entertaining watch with lots of swinging.
Takes war from Jamahal Hill
Prochazka defeated Jamahal Hill via TKO (punches) at 3:01 of Round 3 at UFC 311 on Saturday in Los Angeles.
ANALYSIS
Fans that came for an all-out war between these two got what they paid for. Prochazka was predictably content with engaging in a wild brawl and letting the chips fall where they may. Jiri definitely landed the biggest blows of the fight, picking up a knockdown in both Rounds 1 and 3. The bout would have ended much sooner if not for the ridiculous toughness of Hill. Still, Jiri managed to put him away and earn a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus to boot. Now 32 years of age, Prochazka's future is entirely tied to how his durability holds up. He has supreme confidence in his hands and has to eat a ton of shots in order to get to his power offense. It's worth noting that Jiri has fought the current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira on two different occasions and was finished via second-round knockout both times.
Fans that came for an all-out war between these two got what they paid for. Prochazka was predictably content with engaging in a wild brawl and letting the chips fall where they may. Jiri definitely landed the biggest blows of the fight, picking up a knockdown in both Rounds 1 and 3. The bout would have ended much sooner if not for the ridiculous toughness of Hill. Still, Jiri managed to put him away and earn a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus to boot. Now 32 years of age, Prochazka's future is entirely tied to how his durability holds up. He has supreme confidence in his hands and has to eat a ton of shots in order to get to his power offense. It's worth noting that Jiri has fought the current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira on two different occasions and was finished via second-round knockout both times.
Fighting at UFC 311
Prochazka will fight Jamahal Hill at UFC 311 on Jan. 18, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Prochazka lost to Alex Pereira for the second time in June, giving him a 4-2 record in the UFC. Hill will also be coming off a loss to Pereira in his most recent fight, so both fighters will be eager to get back on track in January.
Prochazka lost to Alex Pereira for the second time in June, giving him a 4-2 record in the UFC. Hill will also be coming off a loss to Pereira in his most recent fight, so both fighters will be eager to get back on track in January.
Again fails in quest for UFC gold
Prochazka came up short in his quest to regain the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship on Saturday, losing to Alex Pereira via TKO (strikes) at 0:19 of Round 2 at UFC 303 in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
That's going to put an overwhelming end to the brief and intense rivalry between these two. While Prochazka threatened Pereira in the first fight between the two last November, he generated no significant offense in this one. Jiri got knocked down literally as the bell rang for the end of Round 1. He made it back to his corner, came out for Round 2, and got immediately blasted with a head kick. The fight was over right then and there, but referee Herb Dean forced Prochazka to absorb a few unnecessary additional follow-up strikes before pulling the plug. Jiri is at his best in wild, reckless brawls. You can't fight that style against Pereira because he'll turn your lights out in an instant, as we saw here. Prochazka is one of the best light heavyweights in the world, but unfortunately for him, he's had zero success against the guy currently running the division.
That's going to put an overwhelming end to the brief and intense rivalry between these two. While Prochazka threatened Pereira in the first fight between the two last November, he generated no significant offense in this one. Jiri got knocked down literally as the bell rang for the end of Round 1. He made it back to his corner, came out for Round 2, and got immediately blasted with a head kick. The fight was over right then and there, but referee Herb Dean forced Prochazka to absorb a few unnecessary additional follow-up strikes before pulling the plug. Jiri is at his best in wild, reckless brawls. You can't fight that style against Pereira because he'll turn your lights out in an instant, as we saw here. Prochazka is one of the best light heavyweights in the world, but unfortunately for him, he's had zero success against the guy currently running the division.
Title fight announced vs Pereira
Prochazka will take on Alex Pereira for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship on June 29 at UFC 303 in Las Vegas, according to UFC President Dana White.
ANALYSIS
Initially, UFC 303's main event was Conor McGregor (undisclosed) against Michael Chandler. However, their fight has been canceled, causing the promotion to need a new headliner. Prochazka was due a chance at the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship anyway, so he will get an earlier opportunity to avenge his last loss, a TKO defeat that resulted in Alex Pereira winning the aforementioned title. The 31-year-old Czech kept his contender status high by beating Aleksandar Rakic via TKO at UFC 300.
Initially, UFC 303's main event was Conor McGregor (undisclosed) against Michael Chandler. However, their fight has been canceled, causing the promotion to need a new headliner. Prochazka was due a chance at the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship anyway, so he will get an earlier opportunity to avenge his last loss, a TKO defeat that resulted in Alex Pereira winning the aforementioned title. The 31-year-old Czech kept his contender status high by beating Aleksandar Rakic via TKO at UFC 300.