Jiri Prochazka is speaking out after his disappointing loss at UFC 303 to light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.
Prochazka and Pereira previously clashed at UFC 295 in November 2023. It was a competitive fight that saw Jiri aggressively pursuing Alex, putting “Poatan” on the backfoot. “The Czech Samurai” would win the first round on all three judges scorecards. But a sloppy takedown attempt in the second led to a barrage of elbows to Prochazka’s temple and a stoppage moments later.
Prochazka fought more tentatively for the rematch on Saturday night in Las Vegas. The gameplan did not serve him well: “Poatan” attacked with little pushback, knocking his opponent down badly in the final second of round 1. Round 2 ended moments after it started with a headkick knockout (watch the finish here).
It was a crushing defeat, and Jiri Prochazka was stoic but clearly upset as he recorded a video statement about the result.
“Thank you for all your support,” he said to the fans. “Thanks to you, Alex, for a fight. He was better. And only one thing goes on in my mind: that I need to evolve to the next level, or don’t fight again. So it’s simple. To be the strongest, this is the way. Thank you.”
It’s a tough loss for Jiri, especially when you consider he’s now 0-2 against a dominant champion. Fighters don’t usually get a third crack at an opponent after losing twice, especially this badly via knockout. So until “Poatan” drops the belt, Prochazka could be stuck in light heavyweight limbo.
It’s not all bad news, though. Jiri has had a very lucrative first half of 2024: he was undoubtedly paid very well to step up for UFC 303, and just cashed a UFC 300 bonus worth $300,000. While he’d undoubtedly trade it all for championship gold, we have a feeling he’ll follow through on his vow to evolve rather than quit.
As for Alex Pereira, he had some kind words for the challenger.
“I wish him a speedy recovery for everything,” he said through a translator at the UFC 303 post-fight press conference. “I know he talk a lot about spirituality. Just so he knows, the same god that blessed us is the one that protects us. I pray a lot for him and for me to be healthy after this fight.”
