Latest news with #JiriProchazka
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Former UFC champion Jiri Prochazka turns down massive title bout offer to prioritise university exams
Czech fighter Jiri Prochazka 's title run chances might not have met their end, as his manager, Tim Simpson , discloses new information on the UFC approaching the fighter for the upcoming International Fight Week 2025 at the Ariel Helwani Show. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Having lost the title to Alex Pereira in 2023, the fighter had another shot at UFC 303 but failed at reclaiming the belt. In a recent negotiation for the promotion, Jiri supposedly declined a title bout offer at UFC 317 for another interesting opponent in life— university exams . Jiri Prochazka, for his next bout in the Octagon, prefers full training camps rather than short-notice fights Recently, Alex Pereira made a post on X about the Poatan's weary relationship with the UFC, which the fighter later claimed was the work of a hacker. Ever since, the MMA sphere has had its own set of theories regarding the truth of the claims. The now-deleted post also emphasized the twisted negotiations between the UFC and the fighter. With Tim Simpson, Jiri Prochazka's manager, revealing the recent interaction between UFC and the Czech fighter, the interpretation of Poatan's recent activity becomes slightly different. At the Ariel Helwani Show, the host asked Simpson about the current status of the fighter's next bout, to which the manager replied, stating, 'Yes, they inquired about if Jiri could do it.' Simpson referred to a title bout between Prochazka and Magomed Ankalaev instead of a rematch with Alex Pereira. He further continued, 'The UFC just wanna know what their options are and I felt like it may not have been necessarily an option for sure.' Darren Till, Valentina Shevchenko, Benoit Saint Denis, Bhullar and Simpson in studio, OTN | 05/14/25 With not much time left for the IFW, it seems like Jiri is not very interested in the bout. According to his manager, the fighter is more focused on clearing his university exams. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Simpson revealed the real reason for the fighter declining the title bout offer, 'He's doing his exams. That's legit. He's deferred them so many times. Like, man, 'I can't defer this exam…' So, he wants to finish the exams. But also, he's done a lot of short notice stuff for them before.' The fighter himself believes that short-notice fights affect his performance as a whole, another major reason for being sceptical about the offer. 'When he gets full proper [training] camps, he looks so much better because he's so diligent with his body. So, I don't think he's gonna be a short notice guy anytime soon.' The manager stated. Also read: Jiri Prochazka has previously stepped up for short notice during his past few years in the UFC. However, now, after clearing his university exams, the fighter will be opting for full training camp before any of his bouts.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
UFC Fans Can't Stop Laughing After Jiri Prochazka Makes a Strange Cameo
UFC fans around the world were treated to an unexpected dose of hilarity and confusion during UFC Fight Night, but it didn't come from the Octagon. As the co-main event was just getting underway during the UFC fight night in Iowa, the attention of the fans briefly shifted to a surprising, almost surreal cameo — former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jiri Prochazka, shirtless and dressed in a sumo-style mawashi, banging on traditional Japanese drums with wild intensity. Advertisement As the camera panned across the arena during the opening ceremony of RIZIN's Tokyo event, viewers noticed the unconventional performance unfolding near the fighter walkout area. UFC fans on Twitter and Instagram were quick to share screenshots and video clips of Prochazka's drumming display. "Bro went full samurai drummer in a diaper mid-fight night 😭," one user tweeted. "I didn't know I needed to see Jiri Prochazka in a mawashi until now," another fan quipped. RIZIN picked Jiri Prochazka, Mark Coleman, Tsuyoshi Kosaka, Tatsuya Kawajiri, Shintaro Ishiwatari, Kandori Shinobu and Buakaw Banchamek to make a special introduction at the opening Ceremony... Known for his unorthodox training methods and strong connection to Japanese bushido philosophy, Prochazka has never shied away from doing things his own way. Still, even longtime fans were taken aback by this unexpected appearance. Those familiar with Prochazka's eccentric mindset noted that the moment may have been a symbolic tribute or spiritual performance. 'This is just peak Jiri,' one commenter wrote. 'He's not just fighting — he's living a warrior's life.' While UFC is known for high-octane fights and intense drama, Prochazka's drumming antics offered a light-hearted distraction that nobody saw coming. It remains unclear whether this appearance was part of a larger promotional segment or simply Jiri being... well, Jiri. The UFC has yet to release an official comment on the performance, but the moment has already been immortalized as a fan-favorite meme and highlight of the night. In a sport filled with knockouts, submissions, and surprises, Jiri Prochazka once again proved that when it comes to stealing the show — even off the canvas — he's in a league of his own.
