Jiri Prochazka desires to combat Alex Pereira subsequent.
This previous Saturday, Prochazka competed within the function prelim of UFC 300, stopping Aleksandar Rakic within the second spherical after overcoming some problem within the first spherical. It was Prochazka’s first win since shedding to Pereira of their vacant mild heavyweight title combat at UFC 295, and one which he says he felt immense strain to get.
“I really feel nice. I really feel actually nice that the mission was profitable,” Prochazka mentioned Wednesday on The MMA Hour. “Particularly this combat was, for me, I don’t need to say private, nevertheless it was for me one thing actually vital, as a result of all that preparation after the combat in New York, it was for me a giant combat. So perhaps that’s why I took that significantly and I used to be so targeted for concentrating on the top or vital locations of Aleksandar’s physique. Perhaps that’s why I caught a variety of punches. I forgot to play extra and be extra relaxed.
“I don’t have to put strain on myself, however particularly this one, perhaps the speaking from Aleksandar helped to be extra in focus,” Prochazka continued. “However a very powerful [thing] for me was to win this combat and present that’s my place, that’s my area within the cage. It doesn’t matter what you need to do, your punches — I don’t need to say are nothing for me, however I understand how to catch punches and I understand how to undergo, completely by way of the opponent.”
One other man who is aware of the right way to undergo his opponents is Pereira, who additionally competed at UFC 300, knocking out Jamahal Hill within the first spherical of the principle occasion to retain the sunshine heavyweight title. Pereira did the identical to Prochazka at UFC 295 final November, ending him within the second spherical, however Prochazka beforehand revealed he handled a staph an infection forward of that combat. He guarantees a special efficiency if he will get a rematch.
“By no means remorse,” Prochazka mentioned when requested in regards to the earlier combat with Pereira. “I took that as a result of the principle occasion fell out, Jon Jones vs. [Stipe] Miocic. I felt like, ‘That is my time, it doesn’t matter what occurred, proper now. I’m simply with one arm, I’ve staph an infection,’ there was rather more issues, antibiotics and a variety of issues round, so I mentioned to myself, ‘Let’s undergo that. Give every little thing to the combat, and nonetheless each time imagine, imagine, imagine.’ That’s it. That’s all. However subsequent time, in that case, I need to be extra skilled in that. I need to give every little thing, so which means I have to be wholesome for each combat.”
And with each of them successful on Saturday, Prochazka hopes that second combat may very well be quickly, calling for a rematch to happen subsequent.
“I wish to combat for the title,” Prochazka mentioned. “Particularly after the choice in New York. The truth that I received the combat on Saturday, that’s the one factor I really feel proper now. I really feel that perhaps my efficiency on Saturday — getting punched, to just accept the punches and this won’t work with Pereira, however individuals have to grasp, I understand how to make a [specific] combat with a fighter. I’ll combat one other one with one other fighter, I can combat like one other man.”
And if he had his druthers, quickly could be faster than quick. After UFC 300, Pereira referred to as to make a fast turnaround to principal occasion UFC 301 in Rio in just some weeks, and whereas it’s unlikely Pereira will get his want since he broke a toe throughout his combat with Hill on Saturday, if one thing adjustments, Prochazka shall be more than pleased to oblige him.
“As quickly as potential,” Prochazka mentioned when requested for a timeline. “If that shall be for a title with Alex, I’m open to take it in Brazil. In two weeks. If there shall be one other date, we’ll see.”
