The light heavyweight division is set for fireworks as Jiri Prochazka faces Jamahal Hill at UFC 311 in a showdown that promises high stakes and heavy action. Prochazka, known for his unorthodox striking and relentless pace, is eager to reclaim the title he once held. On the other side, Hill returns to the Octagon looking to prove why he’s one of the division’s most dangerous contenders.

However, both the fighters have lost against the same opponent; divisional champ Alex Pereira. Prochazka, unfortunately, has lost two times at the hands of the Brazilian champion. But the Czech former champion feels ‘Poatan’ has helped him improve his game.

Jiri Prochazka feels he is a better fighter after his UFC 303 loss against Pereira

Jiri Prochazka’s comeback from a major shoulder injury last November hasn’t unfolded the way he had hoped. He’s fallen short twice in his efforts to regain the light heavyweight title, with both losses coming by knockout at the hands of current champion Alex Pereira. Even with these defeats, Prochazka remains steadfast in his belief that he has what it takes to defeat Pereira and reclaim the 205-pound championship. A win at UFC 311 will definitely get him closer to his third fight with the former dual-champion.

However, he claims that he has improved as a fighter, and a lot of credit needs to go to Alex Pereira. ‘Poatan’, on both occasions, knocked the former champion out which is a rare sight for him. Although the main event at UFC 303 was a last-minute decision, Pereira still managed to perform at the highest level. According to ‘Denisa’, he has learned from his mistakes and feels he is ready to take on anyone in the division next. Prochazka recently sat down for a chat with Michael Bisping and Paul Felder on the Believe You Me podcast and shared his honest take about his defeat at the hands of Pereira at UFC 303.

He said, “I still I believe I can fight them and I can win the fight. It’s like in the game, just don’t give up. Find a way how to overcome yourself. How to be better person how to be, better fighter, and find a way how to win this level. That’s all and like you said, yes I’m really glad that he showed me my biggest mistakes because I am all the time speaking about the best mastermind and all these things. And he just showed that. He really showed that and he really showed that in a fight. In the technique, he [had] right the way to catch me.” 

Their rivalry has not only electrified the light heavyweight division but has also highlighted the evolution of MMA, especially in a division like light heavyweight. While the 32-year-old is ready for his upcoming challenge, fans still wonder how he couldn’t counter Pereira’s lethal kick. What exactly happened that night? Let us find out what the former champion had to say about it.

Jiri Prochazka gives an insight into his knockout loss at UFC 303

The light heavyweight battles between Jiri Prochazka and Alex Pereira have quickly become some of the most thrilling fights in UFC history. Both men bring elite striking, knockout power, and a willingness to engage in high-risk exchanges, making their matchups must-watch events for MMA fans.

Their first encounter was a spectacle, with Pereira’s precise kickboxing going up against Prochazka’s unpredictable and aggressive style. Pereira got the knockout off of elbows while Prochazka was trying to finish a takedown after being dropped by the chanmp. However, the next fight also ended in the same fashion much to the surprise of many out there. In their second bout, Pereira knocked Prochazka out clean with a head kick in the second round. According to Prochazka, the Brazilian used his fighting IQ the second time around.

Alex Pereira is one of the most lethal strikers in the division but also is a smart fighter. Prochazka in an interview with MMA Fighting on SBN shared how he changed his game plan to defeat him for the second time in his career. He said, “In that fight, like before the first fight with Alex, there were many, like bad things [that] happened. In the end of the first round, I was a little bit knocked down. And in the start of the second round, I was a little bit – I had a like how do you say still? I was not fully focused and Alex just saw that, and he used that so that’s all.” 

Hopefully for the fans the former champion can bring his best foot forward and win his fight at UFC 311. Will Jiri Prochazka be able to get past the challenge of Jamahal Hill next? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.