Magomed Ankalaev vs. Jan Blachowicz was pretty much the last fight Jiri Prochazka wanted to see on Dec. 10, but after five rounds, he had no doubt about who won.
The former UFC lightweight champ had planned to rematch Glover Teixeira, but a serious injury caused him to pull out from UFC 282. He was forced to give up the title. But he agreed with those who scored the fight for Ankalaev, whose late-fight resurgence was not enough to overcome a split draw in the official result of the pay-per-view headliner.
Prochazka resolved also to defeat whomever was still holding the belt after he returned.
“One-hundred percent, like everybody who watched that, Ankalaev was 100 percent the winner, but it was really close,” Prochazka said on The MMA Hour. “I really appreciated that he showed a big warrior’s spirit, because his leg was f***** up, and he showed really nice heart in that fight.
“Jan. He didn’t take advantage of the chance to finish Ankalaev using that [leg kick],, because everyone watched it. So [it] doesn’t matter about their fight, doesn’t matter about what will be next. I will be focused on what’s next for me and be in my best shape for the fight.”
Twenty-three of 25 media outlets scored the fight for Ankalaev, according to MMADecisions.com. Ankalaev also won the fight, according to VerdictMMA , which aggregates scores from community members.
Prochazka and Ankalaev were at the gym when Prochazka suffered an injury. Prochazka stated that Ankalaev was one of his teammates and attempted to put the ex-champion’s shoulder in place. The ex-champ took responsibility for his injury, however, and estimated he would be able to return in six months.
In the meantime, Teixeira and Jamahal Hill are set to fight for the still-vacant title at UFC 283 on Jan. 21 in Rio de Janeiro. Hill was originally scheduled to fight Anthony Smith (once-title challenger), but he may now serve as a back up fighter in the event that either of them is not able to make it.
” It’s an odd situation but it was disrespectful to Smith. But our division has to move on,” Prochazka stated. “Because how I see that, I’m the one and only guy who is still evolving, and who is showing a true potential of the light heavyweight. There are a lot more guys out there who want to win and make money. This isn’t about [that].. It’s about the greatest performances. The UFC is a place where the men have to be respectful. You have to be part of the greatest organization in martial arts and show your art. Our division has to move forward.
“That is why I respect your opinion and the outcome. Brazil will host the next title fight. If Hill is talking like he’s the best, OK, let’s show it, and I will be glad if he will show a great performance, because after I return, I will show him or whoever will be there, I’m 200 percent on another level.”
Prochazka has no preference for who he’ll face when he returns to the octagon. It’s impossible to predict how fast the division will move. The only one he’ll stick to is that he will retake the title he never lost.
“Show me the best opponent, and I will win,” he said.
Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/12/23/23519782/jiri-prochazka-confident-magomed-ankalev-100-percent-beat-jan-blachowicz-at-ufc-282?rand=96749
