Jiri Prochazka, born on October 14, 1992, is a Czech professional mixed martial artist competing in the UFC light heavyweight division (205 lbs). He began his MMA career in April 2012 with the Gladiator Fighting Championship, amassing a 7-2 record in his first two years.
Prochazka was set to fight Glover Teixeira for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship at UFC 274, but the bout was rescheduled to UFC 275 on June 11, 2022. In a thrilling match, he clinched the title with a fifth-round rear-naked choke submission, becoming the first Czech UFC champion.
However, he relinquished the title due to a shoulder injury before a rematch with Teixeira at UFC 282. Prochazka's journey continued as he aimed to reclaim the title, facing Alex Pereira for the vacant belt at UFC 295 on November 11, 2023. Unfortunately, the Czech native lost this bout via a TKO. As of June 2024, he holds the #1 rank in the UFC light heavyweight division with a record of 30 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw.
The former champion is now gearing up to square off against Alex Pereira at UFC 303 on June 25, 2024. The venue for this fight is set to be the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States.
Also Read: Jiri Prochazka Ethnicity
Jiri Prochazka Religion
Prochazka does not adhere to any organized religion. Instead, he draws inspiration from “The Book of the Five Rings”, a martial arts and life guide written by renowned Japanese swordsman Miyamoto Musashi. Prochazka considers this book his “holy text”, emphasizing that religion is a matter of personal belief and energy.
Jiri Prochazka Rizin Career
Jiri Prochazka debuted in the promotion in December 2015, impressively winning his quarter-final fight against Satoshi Ishii via knockout. Despite a loss in the tournament final to Muhammed Lawal, Prochazka continued to showcase his skills, winning bouts against notable opponents like Kazuyuki Fujita and Mark Tanios.
Suffering a knee injury in a fight against Tanios, Prochazka returned to light heavyweight, securing victories against Willian Roberto Alves and Karl Albrektsson. His momentum persisted with wins over Bruno Cappelozza and Jake Heun.
In April 2019, Prochazka claimed the inaugural Rizin FF Light Heavyweight Championship by defeating Muhammed Lawal in a rematch. He defended his title against Fábio Maldonado and C. B. Dollaway, the latter marking the end of his Rizin contract. Prochazka then transitioned to the UFC, leaving behind a legacy as a dominant force in Rizin's light heavyweight division.
Last Updated On June 25, 2024.
FAQs
A. Jiri Prochazka doesn't follow any organized religion. Instead, he believes in the principles found in the book “The Book of the Five Rings”.
A. Jiri Prochazka is a Czech national.
A. Jiri Prochazka’s fighting style is predominantly Muay Thai.
A. Jiri Prochazka held a Rizin record of 11 wins and 1 loss.
A. Jiri Prochazka’s next opponent is Alex Pereira.
A. Jiri Prochazka goes by the moniker ‘BJP.’
