UFC champion gets brutally honest about Jiří Procházka's Tony Ferguson-like tendency that could cost him the UFC 311 fight against Jamahal Hill

Jiří Procházka may very well be the architect of his own defeat at UFC 311, where he faces fellow ex-light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill. The assessment comes from reigning UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad, who previewed the fight in a recent appearance on the Anik & Florian Podcast.

In fact, Muhammad believes that Procházka is similar to former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson. Both men are known for their defensive lapses in pursuit of pure offense. While it's led to great success, with both men touching UFC gold, Muhammad believes it will lead to Procházka's demise.

"Jiří, he plays a little bit too much with his hands down. He plays the karate style, the, 'Hit me, I'ma hit you right back.' You know, we saw those type of fighters like Tony Ferguson, where at some point your chin gives up. He's [Jiří Procházka] knocked out in two of his last three fights now, so I think if there's a guy you don't want to get hit by, it's Jamahal Hill. He's so fast, he hits so good."

Check out Belal Muhammad's preview of Jiří Procházka vs. Jamahal Hill (24:09):

Procházka and Hill serve as the third-last fight on the UFC 311 main card. Both men are coming off lopsided knockout losses to Alex Pereira in light heavyweight title fights, and they're equally determined to climb back into title contention. In fact, 'Poatan' seems open to rematching Hill, in particular.

However, Procházka is in a different position, having twice lost to Pereira by stoppage. It will be difficult justifying a trilogy bout unless he embarks on a lengthy and impressive win streak.

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Jiří Procházka has an all-action but defensively risky fighting style

While Jiří Procházka's popularity is due, partially, to his personality and aesthetic, he is also guaranteed action inside the octagon. Unfortunately, it comes at a cost. He is long, powerful and explosive, fighting from a wide, almost bladed stance to dart in and out of range.

However, as Belal Muhammad pointed out, he keeps his hands low at waist level. While this makes it more difficult for his opponents to see his punches coming, it also leaves his chin exposed. Worse still, he often steps in too deep, lunging into potential counterpunches with his hands down and chin exposed.

Moreover, his tendency to extend his combinations in the pocket renders him vulnerable to counters on the inside. This has caused Procházka to get stunned or rocked at various points in his career.