Whether it’s his iconic ‘war hair’ or his willingness to step into the cage without a care in the world, Jiri Prochazka is always ready to ensue chaos. Sometimes it’s with the opponent in front of him, sometimes it’s with the critics, and sometimes, it’s with the darker parts of his own mind. After his gutsy win at UFC 311, the former light heavyweight champion proved once again that no one’s words can deter him. Not even the expert panel of Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier. But did their comments hit a nerve, or was Prochazka just setting the record straight?

During the UFC 311 broadcast, Rogan and Cormier had a field day pointing out Prochazka’s unorthodox style, with his hands often dangerously low during wild striking exchanges, as usually seen. When caught off guard and asked about their comments in the post-fight presser, you could practically feel Jiri’s “F–k them” response.

Because the Czech Republican wasn’t having it. “I worked on that so much,” he said, laughing with a hint of frustration. “You should see that.” So, is he just defending his craft, or maybe sending a little message to those who didn’t quite get the point of his style?

He acknowledged the feedback, but he didn’t back down from revealing the struggle. “Man, all the messages every day, ‘You have to keep your hands up.’ Okay, I’ll do that. Especially for this fight? No!” He shared. “I believe in my senses, my feeling in a fight, and my head movement. That’s why I can keep my hands down.”

He even admitted that maybe he went a bit too far in his last battle with Alex Pereira, but isn’t that the beauty of Jiri Prochazka? He’s willing to go right to the edge to get what he wants. Whether it’s victory or redemption, it is this mentality and this tease with the demons in his head, which acts both as his greatest weapon and the heaviest burden.

After taking down Jamahal Hill and amped about his recent improvements, Jiri’s next target was clear to him- a redemption bout with Alex Pereira. In true Prochazka fashion, he didn’t hesitate to set the stage for what could be the trilogy fight fans have been waiting for. “F–k man, I want a third fight with Alex Pereira,” he said during the interview with Rogan after the fight. ‘The Czech Samurai’ is clearly determined to redeem himself after two devastating losses to the Brazilian.

Can we witness Jiri Prochazka exact his redemption?

But why Pereira, you might ask? After all, Jiri could’ve called out anyone. If you think it’s about the belt, then you are wrong. It is about redemption. “If he (Alex) wins [against Ankalev], it doesn’t matter to me,” Jiri explained. “I want to show my improvements. I want to win decisively and show the world that in the first fight, I almost got him, and the second fight, for me, was ridiculous.”

The past wasn’t kind to Jiri in this rivalry. ‘Poatan’ finished him twice, both by round 2. First at UFC 295 and again at UFC 303. And Prochazka’s hunger for redemption burns brighter than any division gold. Even after two defeats, it’s that very fire that has propelled him forward. A third fight with Pereira? That’s all he wants. Win, lose, or draw, he’s after that one moment of glory. You’ve got to respect that kind of relentless pursuit.

Now, Dana White, ever the man to give fans what they crave, is certainly intrigued by the idea of a trilogy. But, as is his style, he’s playing the long game. “We’ve got to see how it will play out with Alex now,” White said, urging fans to ‘wait and see’ until after the Brazilian juggernaut’s fight with Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313. But make no mistake, the UFC boss is no fool. The trilogy between Prochazka and Pereira has all the ingredients to be a blockbuster.

And fans are already salivating at the idea of these two behemoths clashing again. This might just be the perfect match for Pereira’s deadly precision. What do you think of a potential Jiri Prochazka vs. Alex Pereira trilogy? Is this the fight MMA fans have been waiting for, or should Pereira make a move to heavyweight? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!