Sorry Jamahal Hill! Jiri Prochazka Seeks Title Rematch With Alex Pereira, as Early as UFC 301
Prochazka would be open to fighting Pereira in two and half weeks, although that doesn't seem too likely at the moment.
Jiri Prochazka has his eyes on nothing but the prize.
The former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion returned to his winning ways last weekend at UFC 300. After suffering his first loss in eight years to current champ Alex Pereira, Prochazka would bounce back in a barn burner of a fight against Aleksandar Rakic, finishing him in the second round.
In the aftermath of the massive event in Las Vegas, Prochazka's name would be dropped by ex-champ Jamahal Hill, who thinks it's about time he battles 205's very own 'samurai' after losing to Pereira himself in the UFC 300 headliner.
RELATED: UFC 300 Aftermath: Jamahal Hill Calls Out Ex-Champ After Main Event Loss
Hill and Prochazka were originally targeted to fight last year when "Sweet Dreams" was the reigning champion. However, tragedy struck Hill as he relinquished the title due to a devastating injury in a similar situation to Prochazka the year before.
While there's definitely history between the former champions, Prochazka says all eyes are on avenging his loss to "Poatan" and reclaiming the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.
"I like to fight for the title," Prochazka said on 'The MMA Hour', when asked about fighting Hill next. "Especially after that [stoppage] in New York. After that, when I'm taking the fact I won the fight last Saturday. That's the only thing. That's it. That's what my management [is] working on."
After having some early success in his fight vs. Pereira, Prochazka would fall to the Brazilian's punches in the second round at UFC 295. "Denisa" was down, but not out at the time the referee stopped the contest, leaving many to question the timing of the stoppage altogether.
Whether it was called it off prematurely or not, Pereira got his hand raised in the end and Prochazka wants to settle the score once and for all, wherever and whenever that may be.
"As soon as possible. If that will be for title with Alex, I'm open to take a date in Brazil like in two weeks," Prochazka voiced his interest in fighting Pereira at UFC 301 on May 4. "If there will be another date, let's see."
Prior to his title defense against Hill, the powerful Pereira did express he wanted to fight on back-to-back pay-per-view events with UFC 300 and then UFC 301. However, things don't always go according to plan as his manager Jorge Guimarães would point out in a recent interview with MMA Fighting's Trocação Franca.
“That won’t happen, no way, especially now that he has another broken toe,” Pereira's manager said regarding a UFC 301 return. “He has to go to the shipyard and let the dust settle and celebrate the victory. Maybe [go to Brazil] to watch the event, but no fights for him.”
Becoming a #1 contender in the latest rankings update, should Jiri Prochazka's next fight be for the title against Alex Pereira?
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