Jiri Prochazka’s bizarre training videos never fail to draw MMA experts out of the woodwork.
The former light heavyweight champion is preparing for UFC 300 as he takes on the returning Aleksandar Rakic.
Jiri Prochazka vs Aleksander Rakic at UFC 300
Jiri’s last fight came at UFC 295 where he lost by stoppage against Alex Pereira for the vacant 205lb title.
The title was left without a holder after both Jiri Prochazka and Jamahal Hill vacated it due to injuries, to allow for the light heavyweight division to continue moving.
Rakic is someone who knows very well about devastating injuries, as he hasn’t fought since 2022, when he injured his knee in the third round of his main event with Jan Blachowicz.
The Serbian was scheduled to rematch Blachowicz at UFC 297 earlier this year, but Jan pulled out due to a shoulder injury of his own.
Fan reaction to Jiri Prochazka’s unorthodox training footage
It is fair to say that Jiri Prochazka doesn’t do things traditionally, and that is something the fans have come to love about him over his four-year UFC tenure.
New training footage has emerged of the 31-year-old preparing for his UFC 300 fight, and it has led to a mixed reaction from the MMA fanbase.
@jasoneg33 commented: “I’ve never seen this man do anything normally but this is why we love him.”
The video has led another side of the fanbase to question how the light heavyweight ever became a champion.
@Migi_27 commented: “It’s crazy how far he’s made it with this lackluster defense.” despite the footage being of him punching a punch bag.
Prochazka has notoriously shared videos of him training out in the wilderness, punching trees instead of punchbags. After sharing footage of him training in an actual gym, fans have jokingly questioned what is wrong with him.
@MMAThanos commented: “Why isn’t he beating up a tree? Something’s not right.”
@JMuhomad commented: “Defense just doesn’t interest him does it.”
The video has also led to fans believing that Aleksander Rakic is a ‘lock’, with @MMAspextrum commenting: “Rakic is a lock bruh.”
Prochazka’s and Rakic’s history of being on the prelims
Alex Pereira will defend his title against Jamahal Hill in the UFC 300 main event, with Jiri Prochazka hoping a win can earn him another shot at the title.
The 31-year-old Czech’s last three fights have been main events, whereas this one will take place as the final bout on the prelims. The last time Prochazka competed on the prelims was in his anticipated UFC debut back in 2020, beating Volkan Oezdemir.
Rakic on the other hand last competed on the prelims in 2018, knocking out Devin Clark.