Jiri
Prochazka has his priorities sorted.
If anyone could turn down an
Ultimate Fighting Championship matchup, probably for the title,
it had to be Prochazka (31-5). The former light heavyweight champ
famously lives by the Bushido code and has an unorthodox persona in
general.
Magomedov Ankalaev was looking for an opponent to defend his title
at UFC 317
on June 28. But the most logical contender, Alex
Pereira, wasn’t ready to fight on such short notice.
Prochazka’s manager, Tim Simpson, recently revealed that the UFC
had asked if “BJP” could be ready on that date. The UFC considering
another option even seemingly led to a slight falling out with
“Poatan.”
However, Prochazka chose his upcoming university exams over what
was a potential title shot.
“We had one offer for a match, but everything is being postponed
because of school,” Prochazka’s coach Matin Karaivanov told
Sportz.cz. “Once he finishes it, we will continue
negotiations.”
Prochazka is currently enrolled at Masaryk University in the Czech
Republic, earning his Security and Strategic Studies degree.
Ankalaev expressed his frustration over a lack of opponents and
called out light heavyweight in general.
Guys is there anyone in the Light
Heavyweight division who’s willing to fight me?Because Jiri and Alex do not want to fight.
— Muhammad big ANK Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM)
May 14, 2025
While Prochazka won the title against Glover
Teixeira in 2022, he had to vacate it after being sidelined due
to an injury. He then dropped a bid for the vacant title against
Alex
Pereira but bounced back with a stoppage win over Aleksandar
Rakic to earn a rematch against Pereira. However, the Czech
star was yet again stopped by Pereira. Prochazka rebounded by
finishing Hill in his last outing, cementing himself as a perennial
presence in the title picture at 205 pounds.