Jiří Procházka's entry into the UFC light heavyweight division was nothing short of meteoric, quickly capturing the championship title in just his third fight in the organization. Discover the pivotal moments and bouts that highlighted his journey to the top.
Career Milestones
Jiří Procházka burst onto the UFC scene on July 12, 2020, with a knockout victory over Volkan Oezdemir in the second round, a performance that earned him a Performance of the Night bonus.
His rapid rise culminated when he clinched the UFC light heavyweight title, becoming the first Czech champion in UFC history, by defeating Glover Teixeira with a rear naked choke at UFC 275 on June 12, 2022. This epic showdown was honored as the 2022 Fight of the Year.
Throughout his UFC tenure, Procházka has consistently wowed fans, securing Performance of the Night or Fight of the Night bonuses in four of his five bouts.
Notable Battles
UFC on ESPN: Reyes vs Procházka (May 1, 2021) Before this fight, Jiří Procházka was a promising contender, but his knockout of Dominick Reyes with a spinning back elbow solidified his reputation as a fearsome striker. The fight was a thrilling exchange from the start, with both fighters exchanging heavy blows. Procházka's resilience and striking prowess were on full display, culminating in the knockout that earned him both Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night honors.
UFC 275: Teixeira vs Procházka (June 12, 2022) Procházka's championship victory over Glover Teixeira was a dramatic and intense battle, with the title changing hands in the final moments of the fifth round. Despite Teixeira leading on the scorecards entering the final round, Procházka secured a rear naked choke that ended the fight with just 28 seconds left, claiming not just the victory but also the Fight of the Year accolade. This memorable fight is also regarded as a potential future Hall of Fame inductee.
Make sure to catch Jiří Procházka in action at UFC 303: Pereira vs Procházka 2, broadcasting live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Preliminary fights start at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT, followed by the main event on pay-per-view at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT.