Jiri Prochazka understands what needs to happen if he ever wants to reach the championship level again following his UFC 303 loss to Alex Pereira.
Prochazka (30-5-1 MMA, 4-2 UFC) suffered a second loss to Pereira (11-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) in less than eight months Saturday when he was dropped and stopped in the second round of the light heavyweight title rematch at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, putting him in a difficult spot in the weight class.
It’s typically a challenging situation for fighters who are 0-2 against the current champion in their division, and that’s now the reality for Prochazka.
The former titleholder issued a statement in the aftermath of UFC 303, and acknowledge that growth to his skillset is require if he wants to reach the top, and if he can’t commit to that, then retirement is in play.
“Hello everyone – thank you for all your support,” Prochazka in a statement on Instagram. “Thanks to you Alex for the fight. You was better. And only one thing goes on my mind, that I need to evolve to the next level, or don’t fight again. So simple, to be the strongest, this is the way. Thank you. See you in the gym.”
Prochazka will likely face a medical suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission on the heels of the stoppage defeat.
The 31-year-old did not expand any further on what his future holds, but it’s clear he is reflecting seriously on what the result vs. Pereira means for his fighting future.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 303.
