Following his knockout loss to Alex Pereira at UFC 303, Jiri Prochazka's head coach teased that moving to middleweight is not only an option for BJP, but it could give his career “a new restart.”
Although it has been confirmed that his next fight will take place at 205lbs, the popular Czech Samurai has now addressed speculation that he could drop down to middleweight later in 2025.
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Jiri Prochazka gives an update on the rumored move to middleweight
Following his rematch against 'Poatan' at UFC 303, Jiri Prochazka's coach was quoted as saying that BJP is “still old enough to fit in relatively well at middleweight” and that the move could mean “a new restart.”
He recently spoke on The Ariel Helwani Show and admitted that he has shelved those plans again because one condition must be met first.
“I've thought about that [move to middleweight] a lot, but light heavyweight is my division, light heavyweight is my division, and I want to stay there… Here's the thing, I told myself, 'I'm going to middleweight, but first I have to return to the throne of light heavyweight'.
“I know it sounds really crazy because Alex is here and he's won twice, but I still believe in it and I'm really open to making a big change in my life to make that happen. “
While Prochazka would argue that it would be “no problem” for him to drop down to 185 pounds, he would have to lose several pounds of muscle mass from an already shredded body.
“Of course, yes, for me it wouldn't be a problem to do that… But I feel strong, I'm the guy who has one of the best physical exams in light heavyweight. [division] – I'm a lot stronger than most guys at light heavyweight, I'm ready for that.
In an earlier interview with Sportskeeda, BJP reaffirmed: “I have the power, I have the power and I have the stamina and all the capabilities and everything to beat the guys at light heavyweight.
“Maybe I'll move up to middleweight, maybe, but first I said to myself, I want to win the light-heavyweight title. That's all I'm thinking about right now – especially winning the next fight.”
Jiri Prochazka returns to action on 'stacked' UFC 311 card in January 2025
Prochazka returns to the octagon on January 18, 2025 at Intuit Arena in Los Angeles, which will be a fantastic way to kickstart the new year.
The former champion will fight Jamahal Hill, who is also coming off a KO loss to Alex Pereira, with both men looking to secure a rematch with Poatan in late 2025.
Pereira himself is expected to face Magomed Ankalaev in his next title defense, although Prochazka believes there is 'no chance' of the Russian capturing UFC gold.
“I don't think so [chance]especially when he fights like he just said during the stand-up, sorry [but] no… If Alex will be in the same shape he showed in the last fight, 100% no.”
At the time of writing, Ankalaev is still ranked No. 1, with Prochazka at No. 2, while Jamahal Hill retains his No. 3 position.
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