Fans react in awe of Jiri Prochazka's super-fast recovery as he begins training within weeks after surgery

Jiri Prochazka had a rough end to 2022. He was scheduled for his first title defense and rematch against Glover Teixeira at UFC 282 but a horrific shoulder injury forced him out of the bout.

Not wanting to hold up the division, Prochazka relinquished his title on the condition that he would get an immediate shot at the belt upon his return. In a twist of fate, Glover Teixeira finds himself fighting for the light heavyweight title against Jamahal Hill after both Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev failed to capture 205lbs gold in the main event of UFC 282.

Jiri Prochazka posted a picture of himself training just weeks after his shoulder surgery, to which fans reacted in awe.

Check out the post by Prochazka below:

A user with the handle @sam_abramowitz commented with the following:

"This is when champions are forged - when they’re down. Respect to you champ"

Another user (@flyingmachinecustom_parts) commented asking if Jiri Prochazka had surgery since the scar isn't visible in the picture:

"Did you have surgery on your shoulder? I don't see any surgery scar ? Dana white said it was one of the worst shoulder injuries in history of UFC?"

Check out some of the reactions below:

Fan reactions to Jiri Prochazka's picture of himself training [Image courtesy: @jiriprochazka on Instagram]

More fan reactions [Image courtesy: @jiriprochazka on Instagram]

Another notable quick return from a debilitating injury was when Tony Ferguson took just four months to return to the octagon after suffering a horrific knee injury.

In April 2018, prior to his UFC 223 bout with Khabib Nurmagomedov, Ferguson suffered a freak injury where he tripped over some cables, which resulted in him tearing his fibular collateral ligament. Tony Ferguson made a full recovery and competed in October of the same year at UFC 229, stopping former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis in the second round.

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Who will Jiri Prochazka face when he comes back?

With Jiri Prochazka away for the time being, Glover Teixeira and Jamahal Hill will fight for the vacant light heavyweight title at UFC 283. If Teixeira wins, Prochazka will find himself in familiar waters, having gone five rounds with the Brazilian in June 2022.

If Hill wins, Prochazka will have to prepare for a new fighter altogether. The American provides some unique challenges, and a potential clash between the two could be a barnburner since both fighters are primarily strikers.

With Prochazka back in training just weeks out from his shoulder surgery, it seems likely that he may make his return in the summer of 2023.

Meanwhile, a new light heavyweight champion will be crowned this weekend at UFC 283. The main event will feature Glover Teixeira and Jamahal Hill battling for the title. The co-main event will feature a flyweight title unification bout between champion Deiveson Figueiredo and interim title holder Brandon Moreno.

UFC 283 will take place at the Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.