The result was not on my side, so I just kept working - Jiri Prochazka answers if he feared he was losing against Glover Teixeira in the first fight (Exclusive)

Jiri Prochazka became the light heavyweight champion by dethroning Glover Teixeira via fifth-round submission in the main event at UFC 275. 'Denisa' was losing on the scorecards before he submitted the jiu-jistu wizard with a rear-naked choke with less than half a minute left in the fight.

In an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda MMA, Andrew Whitelaw asked Prochazka if he felt the fear of defeat at any point in his first encounter with Teixeira. While Prochazka denied having let any fear enter his head, he admittedly knew that he was losing on the scorecards.

According to Prochazka, an embodiment of the Bushido Samurai spirit, one must maintain a positive mindset in such situations and try to find ways to win. The UFC light heavyweight champion told Sportskeeda MMA:

"In the fight I know it's on the point. Like, the results is not on my side, so I just kept working. Like that's the only thing that you can do in this situation. You just have to keep working. Keep working, keep working with positive mind, to find the winning setup."

Catch Jiri Prochazka's comments (1:50) below:

Jiri Prochazka and Glover Teixeira went toe-to-toe right from the get-go in their memorable clash. Despite both fighters looking exhausted as early as the second frame, the fight went on to the championship rounds.

While all three judges gave the first two rounds to Teixeira, two of the judges were divided about the third and fourth rounds. Although Prochazka might have been losing on the scorecards, Teixeira was arguably worse for wear going into the final frame.

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Jiri Prochazka predicts UFC 282 rematch with Glover Teixeira

Jiri Prochazka is now slated to make his first title defense in a rematch against Glover Teixeira at UFC 282 on December 10. Having spent almost the entire twenty-five minutes inside the octagon in their first encounter, Prochazka was asked how he expects the rematch to play out in the same interview.

'Denisa' claimed that his previous experience with Teixeira will definitely benefit him. However, the former RIZIN champion is well aware of the fact that his opponent will benefit from the experience as well.

Having put on an iconic war in their initial encounter, Prochazka expects his rematch against Teixeira to be on an entirely different level. The 30-year-old further told Sportskeeda MMA (2:46):

"Yeah, that's the big point for me. And a good point for him too. So we know each other's mistakes. We know each other's strong side. So the second fight will be, I hope, not just from my side and from his side too, the next level."