Just three fights in his UFC career, Jiri prochazka already holds the title of light heavyweight champion.
Prochazka and Glover Teixeira fought round after round, in what was one of the most exciting fights in UFC 275. The end came at 4:32 in the fifth and final round after Prochazka latched onto a rear-naked choke that forced Teixeira to tap out as the 29-year-old Czech native celebrated the biggest win of his career.
” I thought that I would give a better performance. Sorry for that,” Prochazka stated afterwards. Prochazka said that she would be even better next time. It doesn’t really matter if it’s the first round or fifth. No matter what technique you use, it doesn’t really matter.
” That choke was a natural result. I just watched the moment, what opportunity is before me. It’s amazing. This was true war. Glover is a true warrior and I like that.”
An incredibly active and offensive minded fighter, Prochazka was pawing away with fast hands in the early exchanges but Teixeira was just biding his time to find a way inside. Two minutes in to the first round, Teixeira dived down to take a leg from Prochazka and brought the fight onto the canvas.
Teixeira was aggressive with his grappling as he transitioned from the guard to side control and eventually ending up in north-south position but Prochazka stayed patient until he exploded back to his feet.
It was short lived success for Prochazka as Teixeira wasted no time snatching another takedown except this time he ended up in the mount. Teixeira began to hammer away at Prochazka using punches, elbows, and kicks. But somehow the RIZIN veteran managed not only survive but also escaped after landing some heavy ground and pounds of his own.
Prochazka appeared much more fresh at the beginning of round two. He began to put a lot pressure on Teixeira’s feet using a dynamic striking technique. Again and again, Prochazka was popping Teixeira with a variety of punches and it appeared at times that he was only one shot away from finishing the fight.
Despite the onslaught coming at him, Teixeira would not go away and a slip from Prochazka gave the Brazilian a chance to turn the tables with another strong display on the ground. Teixeira moved back into the mount again where he unloaded some huge elbows with one of the shots slicing Prochazka open with a gash across his left eyebrow.
The cut did not deter Prochazka, who continued to pursue Teixeira with his long punches and relentless aggression. Prochazka continued to chip away at Teixeira with his relentless aggression, but Teixeira was always finding a way back.
Prochazka’s inability to put Teixeira away continued to haunt him because the 42-year-old veteran just kept hunting for takedowns that would put him in dominant positions. Late in the fourth round, Teixeira moved from the mount into a submission attempt as he looked to secure an arm triangle choke but inexplicably, Prochazka found a way out yet again.
With just five minutes left, Teixeira defeated Prochazka using a huge right hook. It almost earned him the knockout. Instead of following up with strikes, Teixeira searched for a choke guillotine and it was sufficient to give Prochazka time to recuperate and to avoid the finish.
It turns out that mistake would ultimately cost Teixeira his title.
Another wild exchange on the ground saw Prochazka land a couple more shots but during an ensuing exchange, he saw an opening to apply the rear naked choke on Teixeira.
Prochazka swung his arms around his neck, and even though he didn’t have his legs on his body, Teixeira already groaned just before he released the submission. Prochazka gave an impressive performance, fighting out of poor positions until he was able to defeat Teixeira with just one minute left in the fight.
Although it wasn’t what he expected, Teixeira said that he will continue to compete in the Octagon.
“I give my all,” Teixeira said. “I say all the time live by the sword, die by the sword. I will keep going .”
