More Than a Nickname: Jiri Prochazka Reveals the Story of ‘BJP’ & ‘Denisa’

Jiri Prochazka is one of the most impressive fighters currently competing in the UFC’s light heavyweight division, having been a former champion. The fighter has been getting a lot of attention in recent times for his spectacular performances and also for his unique appearance. The Czech national has only six fights in the UFC as of now and is gearing up to take on fellow former champion Jamahal Hill at UFC 311.

Prochazka is definitely a knock-out master. He has 26 knockout wins under his name and has won 36 fights in his professional career. The Czech fighter was a star before he joined the UFC and fought under the Rizin promotion in Japan. But ahead of his fight against Jamahal Hill, let us take a look at the meanings behind his nicknames, starting with the moniker ‘Denisa’.

The meaning behind Jiri Prockazka’s nickname ‘Denisa’

Jiri Prochazka’s moniker before he was known as ‘The Czech Samurai’ and ‘BJP’ was a little ambiguous. Prochazka went by the name ‘Denisa.’ When someone called out the name ‘Denisa,’ Jiri Prochazka responded to it, and that is simply how it became his moniker. After that incident, he was merely stuck with the nickname and made it his own. Many organizations and individuals continue to refer to the fighter as ‘Denisa’, though he has not spoken out against it.

For the unaware, the word ‘Denisa’ is a name often given to Czech girls. Denisa translates to ‘Denise’ in English, a pretty common name all across the world. The fighter chose this name by mistake and has kept it as his moniker ever since. Now, let’s turn over to look at Jiri Prochazka’s other nickname, which is also a code by which he lives his life.

Why is Jiri called ‘The Samurai’?

Jiri Prochazka’s other nicknames include the moniker of ‘The Czech Samurai’. The fans and the media gave him this moniker after seeing his unique style and appearance as he grew in popularity. Prochazka believes it has something to do with his fighting in Japan. In an interview, he revealed the story about how he got dubbed as ‘The Czech Samurai.’

“It started to come out in the media. It had something to do with me fighting in Japan. However, I suspect it might also be because some eight years ago, my coach gave me The Book of the Five Rings by the most famous sword master, Miyamoto Musashi,” said Prochazka. Musashi’s The Book of the Five Rings is a treatise on martial arts, specifically kenjutsu, the Japanese discipline of swordplay. Inazō Nitobe’s Bushido: The Soul of Japan, is one of the most well-known modern interpretations of samurai philosophy. But did you know that he has one more nickname? Let’s explore the meaning behind that one.

What is the meaning of ‘BJP’?

One of the most recognized nicknames of Jiri Prochazka is ‘BJP’. Fans dubbed him that name owing to his incredible ability to knock his opponents out cold, which he does in almost every fight. Interestingly, ‘BJP’ is the Czech full form for “Bomby Jak Pa,” which means “bomb the s**t out of him,” or when translated to colloquial terms, “bombs like c**t.” [Translated via Google].

‘BJP’ in the lengthy form is also his battle cry and now the name of his very own merchandise brand. Hence, he has many nicknames, and the fans can choose what to call Prochazka.

Well, nicknames are for and to cheer as the main business for Jiri Prochazka will go down inside the Octagon at UFC 311. Can he topple Jamahal Hill to get into title contention once again? Let us know in the comments below.