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Jiri Prochazka has provided a detailed update on his recovery from shoulder surgery.
The UFC light heavyweight division has been turned upside down by ‘Denisa.’ The 30-year-old captured the 205-pound title in his first three UFC fights and then shockingly vacated the crown after a severe shoulder injury while training. During an interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Prochazka expressed enthusiasm for his recovery by saying:
“Doesn’t matter about their [Ankalev vs. Blachowicz] fight. Doesn’t matter what will be the next. I’ll be focused just for me to make my shoulder best, and to be in the best shape for the next fight. I believe it will be not so long time. A lot of doctors say because I know my body. Really, I know my body. I know how to recover after surgery, after these hard situations. So, that’s why I’m calm and satisfied…”
Helwani followed up by asking when Prochazka will be healthy enough to train again. ‘Denisa’ responded by saying:
“Six months. Six months because a lot of people saying it’s neccesary to keep it 8-9 months, but I know my body, and I believe I can fix it by three to four months to full power…”
The light heavyweight title remained vacated after Magomed Ankalaev vs. Jan Blachowicz ended in a no-contest at UFC 282. Dana White decided to forgo a rematch and booked Glover Teixeira vs. Jamahal Hill for UFC 283 in Brazil. Prochazka is expected to fight the winner of Teixeira and Hill.
Watch Jiri Prochazka on The MMA Hour, starting at 1:04:33, below:
Jiri Prochazka discusses why he vacated the UFC light heavyweight title
The MMA community was surprised when Jiri Prochazka decided to vacate the UFC light heavyweight title. During the same interview on The MMA Hour, Prochazka had this to say when asked why he chose to give up the 205-pound strap instead of waiting for the UFC to strip him:
“That was very hard thing for me, but I don’t wanna talk about it a lot. After talking with the UFC, with the directors of UFC, I have to let the show, the show must go on. Show must go on, and I respect it. I respect it. What to say about that? For me, I wanna stay champion, doesn’t matter if I’m injured or doesn’t matter what, but if it’s the best for the light heavyweight division right now, to make it better…”
Jiri Prochazka made his UFC debut in July 2020 and quickly made a name for himself by beating Volkan Oezdemir and Dominick Reyes inside the distance. ‘Denisa’ capped off his impressive run by beating Glover Teixeira in June to become the UFC light heavyweight champion.
