Jiri Prochazka shares his video-game mindset while eyeing third fight against "final boss" Alex Pereira

Alex Pereira maybe 2-0 over him in their series, but Jiri Prochazka would still be interested in a third meeting someday. On a recent episode of the Believe You Me podcast, Michael Bisping and Paul Felder spoke with Prochazka regarding several subjects including his pair of stoppage losses to the reigning light-heavyweight champion.

After a few second-round setbacks against Pereira, Bisping asked Prochazka if the Brazilian fuels and motivates him to get better. The former UFC middleweight champion even likened Alex Pereira to something of a final boss in a video game for Prochazka. When responding to this characterization, Prochazka said:

"Maybe it can be funny for somebody but still I believe I can fight them and I can win the fight. It's like in the game, just don't give up. Find a way, how to overcome yourself. How to be better person, how to be better fighter, and find a way how to win. How to win this level, that's all. Like you said I'm very glad that he showed me biggest mistakes."

"Because I'm all the times thinking about the best mastermind and all these things. He just showed that. He really showed that but in the fight in the technique he right way to catch me. So yeah, that goes for me the biggest, one of the biggest lessons in my life. Right now I'm in a part of life where I have no other chance."

Check out Jiri Prochazka's thoughts on a possible Alex Pereira trilogy (19:16) below:

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Alex Pereira is favored to finish 2025 as the champion

While Alex Pereira may serve as Prochazka's final loss, oddsmakers do not foresee the UFC light heavyweight champion being usurped from his throne this calendar year. The odds in question, courtesy of BetOnline, positioned Alex Pereira at +150 and potential next title challenger Magomed Ankalaev is situated at +190.

The 37-year-old and his possible next contender in Ankalaev are the top two choices to finish out this calendar year holding gold but the list is certainly filled with multiple familiar names.

Former opponents of 'Poatan' populate this list as Jamahal Hill and Jiri Prochaka are positioned at +700 and +900, respectively, to finish 2025 as UFC light heavyweight champion. Hill versus Prochazka goes down at UFC 311 on Jan. 18 and the victor would be well-positioned to potentially accomplish this goal before the year ends.

The native of Sao Paulo state was seen by many as the 2024 Fighter of the Year and evidently, there are also lofty expectations for Pereira in 2025 as well.