Jiri Prochazka isn’t just focused on reclaiming his UFC light heavyweight title from Alex Pereira; he’s already thinking ahead to potential moves in weight divisions.
In a recent interview, he discussed the possibility of moving down to middleweight instead of up to heavyweight. His decision is rooted in his understanding of his body, metabolism, and dietary needs.
Jiri Prochazka aims to switch to the middleweight division
Prochazka elaborated, stating,
“Rather than [moving up to] heavyweight, I thought I’d try middleweight. Because the way I feel my metabolism now, and the way my body works in preparation. So, I know that if I adjust my diet to where I feel great and clean, I know I could handle the middleweight division, with some lighter diet. But I would definitely concentrate on that after winning the light heavyweight title.”
However, his immediate focus remains on regaining the light heavyweight championship from Pereira, who himself moved up from middleweight. Prochazka emphasized that winning back the title is his priority, before considering any weight class changes.
In his quest to reclaim the title, Prochazka is eager for a rematch with Pereira, aiming for a quick turnaround. Following his convincing victory over Aleksandar Rakic in the prelims of UFC 300, Prochazka wasted no time in calling for the title shot rematch in an interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour.
Expressing his desire to fight Pereira as soon as possible, Prochazka mentioned the possibility of a quick rematch at UFC 301 in Brazil, scheduled for May 4. He asserted,
“I would like to fight for the title. Especially after the decision in New York. The fact that I won the fight on Saturday, that’s the only thing I feel right now. I feel that maybe my performance on Saturday – getting punched, to accept the punches and this will not work with Pereira, but people have to understand, I know how to make a [specific] fight with a fighter… As soon as possible. If that will be for a title with Alex, I am open to take it in Brazil. In two weeks. If there will be another date, we’ll see.”
