Former
Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight ace Jiri
Prochazka has issued some harsh critique based on his
perception of upcoming opponent Alex
Pereira’s abilities as a mixed martial artist.
Prochazka (29-3) will take on Pereira (8-2) for the vacant light
heavyweight title in the UFC
295 co-main event on Nov. 11. The bout will mark Pereira’s
second Octagon title bid — in a new weight class — all within the
span of a year. While Prochazka acknowledges Pereira’s elite
striking, “BJP” believes the former Glory Kickboxing champ is
lacking in the grappling aspect of combat.
“I have to say, Alex, he’s not a good martial artist like on the
ground on the wrestling but one thing he can do and knows what to
do is his striking,” Prochazka told CBS
Sports’ Shakiel Mahjouri. “It will be a pleasure to compete
with him in the stand-up. He’s good in stand-up but not good in
wrestling and all these things. He’s too much focused on striking.
He’s very good at that but on the other things, other styles, he’s
not good, too. I am not too good of a wrestler to say that but I
think I am better than him. Doesn’t matter. That’s my opinion, my
stance.”
The Polish powerhouse vacated his crown after being forced out of a
scheduled UFC 282 clash against Glover
Teixeira due to a significant shoulder injury. While UFC CEO
Dana White was all praises for Prochazka for not keeping the title
picture in limbo, “BJP” has now revealed that the decision wasn’t
his.
“One thing I have to say… it was not my idea to release the title
but I agreed with that,” declared Prochazka. “I confirmed that
because I believe in myself that when I go to the cage again after
all these things, I can take that title again. So, that’s why I did
that.”