The famous saying by Terence, the Roman playwright, “Fortune favors the bold,” perfectly encapsulates the journey of former UFC light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka. After a crushing knockout loss to divisional leader Alex Pereira at UFC 303, ‘The Czech Samurai’ sat out, reflecting on his mistakes. With 2025 on the horizon, he now has a fresh start—a chance to restore his confidence and redefine his legacy. But how will he do it?

Prochazka’s upcoming fight against Jamahal Hill at UFC 311 is shaping up to be a turning point. This bout carries the potential to shake up 205lbs and its landscape. Determined to leave no room for doubt, ‘BJP’ has been meticulously preparing to overcome Hill. What fuels him is a deep desire to settle the score with Alex Pereira, the man who not only dethroned him but also handed him two of the most significant losses in his career. These defeats, while painful, haven’t diminished Jiri Prochazka’s resolve.

The 32-year-old remains laser-focused on reclaiming the championship in 2025. In a conversation with MMA Fighting, he expressed his unwavering ambition to face the reigning champion for a third time, “You know, maybe it will sound crazy or whatever, but believe me, I’m working on that. I’m working on becoming the champion. The champion right now is Alex, but for me, it’s about the journey.” ‘BJP’ also emphasized staying grounded, adding, “I am always focusing on what’s in front of me—what’s the next step? Right now, it’s Jamahal Hill.”

Additionally, Jiri has questioned Pereira’s dominance in the division, pointing to the looming threat of Magomed Ankalaev and Khamzat Chimaev, currently considered ‘Poatan’s’ most formidable challengers. Addressing the uncertainty surrounding the division, the former champion remarked, “We will see who will be the champion. If that will be Alex, really, that’s… For me, that fight would be for my life.” With a stellar career that includes over 30 fights and just five losses, Prochazka’s record speaks volumes about his caliber.

However, two of those defeats came at the hands of Pereira, making their potential trilogy a matter of personal redemption. Yet, as ‘Poatan’ eyes a move to the heavyweight division by the end of 2025, Jiri’s window to settle the score may be closing. In light of this, rumors and intense speculation have swirled, with UFC veterans weighing in on the Brazilian’s future. As we look ahead, let’s see what the seasoned UFC fighters have to say about this potential shift and the next chapter in the reigning champion’s storied career.

UFC Veteran predicts Alex Pereira’s heavyweight super fight

Earlier this year, after Alex Pereira successfully defended his light heavyweight title for the second time against Jiri Prochazka, he immediately announced his ambition to become the UFC’s first-ever three-division champion by moving up to the heavyweight division. This historic achievement is yet to be realized, and speculation began to swirl about potential opponents, with Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall being considered prime candidates. The situation took a more intriguing turn when Jones gave the green light to the matchup.

However, Dana White quickly shut down the idea with a resounding “no fucking way,” citing Jones’ imposing size. Still, White left a sliver of possibility open, saying, “If they are both fucking hounding, maybe I would do it.” As these rumors continue to fuel excitement, the latest development surrounding Khamzat Chimaev and Alex Pereira has added even more intrigue. UFC veteran Josh Thomson raised the stakes with a bold prediction, suggesting that if Pereira were to defeat Chimaev, it could open the door to a potential heavyweight super-fight.

“Here’s what I think, John… If Pereira walks through Chimaev, and then you’ve got Tom Aspinall and Jon Jones, the winner of that could be the next fight for Alex. I could see him saying, ‘I’ve cleared out 185, Let me clear out 205. I’ll see you at Heavyweight, winner of Jones vs. Aspinall.’ But first, he’s got to get past Chimaev,” Thomson speculated.

Given that Pereira has yet to face a stellar grappler inside the Octagon, the idea of him facing Jon Jones at heavyweight, where Jones’ wrestling acumen is a dominant force, raises questions about how one-sided that matchup could be if Pereira doesn’t first face a fighter with similar skills. And what better test than a fight with Khamzat Chimaev to prepare him for such a monumental clash? Let us know your thoughts below.