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Jiri Prochazka will likely be out of action for at least five months, with UFC president Dana White recently issuing an update about the Czech's recovery time on Paddy Pimblett's podcast. Prochazka was meant to headline UFC 282 against Glover Teixeira, but has instead vacated the light-heavyweight belt.
Prochazka stated that he would be ready to fight in five months, but it seems the injury is worse than expected. White told Pimblett that the doctor was present during a meeting with the fighter and had some unfortunate words for the now former UFC champion (transcribed by MMA Fighting):
"That night when we were in there and we’re having the meeting and we’re talking about the possibility of him (Prochazka) fighting again, he was saying ‘I think I can come back in five months’ and all this s***. The doctor was with us, too, and the doctor was like you need to start being realistic about this."
Watch Dana White speak about Jiri Prochazka's injury here (1:44):
Jiri Prochazka reportedly picked-up the shoulder injury during training ahead of UFC 282. White continued to state that the injury will keep Prochazka away from the octagon for at least "two fights" in the light-heavyweight division, likely suggesting that the light-heavyweight belt will be contested twice before 'Denisa' returns.
The Czech fighter won the UFC title after defeating Glover Teixeira at UFC 275. Prochazka shocked everyone by submitting the Brazilian late in the fifth round to secure the belt, with Teixeira winning on two of the scorecards heading into the final round.
How long did it take for Jiri Prochazka to win a UFC title?
Jiri Prochazka has incredibly only fought three times under the UFC banner and has already secured UFC gold. Prochazka defeated Volkan Oezdemir upon making his organizational debut at UFC 251: Usman vs. Masvidal.
The Czech fighter went on to beat Dominick Reyes in May 2021, recording back-to-back second-round finishes in the UFC. As mentioned, Prochazka had a much harder bout against Glover Teixeira, but managed to secure the light-heavyweight title in the fifth and final round.
Watch Prochazka win the light-heavyweight title at UFC 275 here:
Jiri Prochazka was scheduled to defend his light-heavyweight title for the first time at UFC 282 this weekend, but was forced to withdraw from the bout due to injury. Prochazka respectfully vacated the title, meaning there will be a new 205lbs champion this weekend. Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev are headlining UFC 282, both hoping to secure Prochazka's former belt.
