Jiri Prochazka announced his UFC arrival in style.
Prochazka is one of the top light heavyweights and among the most exciting fighters across all divisions currently competing on MMA’s biggest stage.
The former RIZIN champion did not need long to add himself to the mix of elites at 205 pounds. In fact, Prochazka defeated Glover Teixeira to win UFC gold in just his third fight inside the Octagon.
To secure that opportunity at UFC 275 in Singapore, ‘BJP’ recorded back-to-back brutal knockouts over top-10 contenders, the first of which saw him send a former title challenger to a fate he had never experienced.
Jiri Prochazka brutally slept Volkan Oezdemir in his Octagon debut at UFC 251
Before Prochazka’s incredible knockout against Dominick Reyes in his maiden UFC main event, the Czech star debuted by sending Volkan Oezdemir to the shadow realm in 2020.
On the preliminary card of UFC 251 — the most successful pay-per-view event not to feature Conor McGregor in the promotion’s history — Prochazka made the walk as a highly touted newcomer who had won 10 straight fights.
Fresh off his RIZIN title reign, the unique brawler began his path toward championship status under the UFC banner in a devastating way, with Prochazka sleeping Oezdemir in jaw-dropping fashion on ‘Fight Island’.
The finish, which came just 49 seconds into round two, marked the first time the Swiss ex-title challenger had been knocked out cold. To this day, Prochazka remains the only man to KO ‘No Time’.
Jiri Prochazka’s journey back to the UFC light heavyweight title goes through Khalil Rountree Jr.
Prochazka’s reign on the light heavyweight throne was short-lived after a shoulder injury forced him to relinquish the crown. And two losses to Alex Pereira dented the Czech star’s hopes of a second stint with the title.
‘BJP’ got his road back to the belt off to a strong start at UFC 311 in Los Angeles this past January, where he stopped fellow former champ Jamahal Hill in violent fashion. He is now set for a potential title eliminator at UFC 320 this October.
Dana White announced Prochazka vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. recently, with the pair among those who will set the stage for the title fight rematch in their division between Magomed Ankalaev and Pereira.