Alex Pereira has truly been Jiri Prochazka’s kryptonite. After all, ‘Poatan’ has gotten the better of ‘The Czech Samurai’ in both their outings at UFC 295 and UFC 303. In fact, the Brazilian had dispatched Prochazka’s consciousness to the shadow realm and that too in a brutal fashion. This is why fans could be forgiven for rolling their eyes when the Czech former champion claimed to have a recipe to beat Pereira.

Prochazka went on Joe Rogan’s JRE podcast a few days ago. It was then the UFC commentator and Pereira fanboy asked him if ‘Poatan’s legendary power indeed felt different from other fighters. To which Prochazka readily agreed. “There’s a difference from other guys, yeah there is a different,” the former champ said before making a pretty bold claim. “But only one thing I can say like I know the recipe [to beat Pereira].”

“You know the recipe? What’s the recipe?” a slightly skeptical Rogan asked. “What’s the recipe? You have to know how to give the punch and how to accept the punches, how to move with it, and how to overcome the bad moments and all these things. But it’s better, much better, to defend the punch with the hand or defend the punch with the movement,” ‘The Czech Samurai’ asserted.

Of course, this might seem like the most basic and rudimentary advice, which is true in any combat sport. Blocking punches with your guard, using head movement, and rolling with the punches are the first things taught to any kid starting martial arts. But this is Jiri Prochazka we’re talking about.

The Czech superstar has been long criticized by fans for his lackluster defensive skills. He has relied more on his granite chin for defense and firmly belongs to the take-one-to-give-one school of thought. However, his last fight was a bit different, which augurs well for Prochazka, who is still very much in the title picture.

Jiri Prochazka’s defense shows marginal improvement against Jamahal Hill

Coming off consecutive losses, Jiri Prochazka went into his UFC 311 fight against Jamahal Hill a man possessed. The Czech brawler dominated the fight and managed to stop ‘Sweet Dreams’ in the third round. Although, Hill put up a pretty valiant effort. But what was notable for fans was ‘The Czech Samurai’s improved defense.

After all, Prochazka did keep his hands up during the fight. Well, at least some of the time, especially after Hill landed a clean punch. But that is still an improvement for ‘The Czech Samurai’ and is only going to make him even more dangerous. This is good for Prochazka since he is knocking at the door of a third Alex Pereira fight.

‘Poatan’ is set to face #1 ranked 205-pounder Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313 next. But after that, the title picture is pretty fuzzy with no other contender knocking down the door. This means that Prochazka may find himself against Pereira after perhaps a good win over another top-ranked guy.

In which case we will find out whether Prochazka really has found the recipe to beat Alex Pereira. What do you think about Jiri Prochazka’s comments about ‘Poatan’ on Joe Rogan’s podcast?