Author: Chandra Moulee Das
Jiri Prochazka had to relinquish his middleweight title due to a serious injury to his right shoulder before his first title defense at UFC 282. Similarly, Jamahal Hill, who looked set to challenge Prochazka for the belt on his return, also gave up the title recently after suffering an injury that ruptured his Achilles tendon.
‘Denisa’, the current number 1 in the middleweight rankings, expressed his desire to face Alex Pereira, the Brazilian fighter who defeated Jan Blachowicz by split decision at UFC 291 for the now vacant belt. When asked if he believes “Poatan” will be his next opponent during an interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, he broke the silence with a possibly sympathetic response.
“Yes, of course. I’m not sure, but it hasn’t been confirmed by the UFC yet, but that’s it – my next fight will be for the title, so I think [contra] Alex is a very good chance to show the world a good title fight and I’d like to see him [como] opponent in my next fight.“
Despite initially being given a recovery timetable of 12 to 18 months, Prochazka hinted that he could return to action sooner. He’s excited about the possibility of returning to the octagon later this year. Notably, Prochazka is currently on a 13-fight winning streak, with his last defeat dating back to 2015.
After Jiri Prochazka’s departure, Jamahal Hill became the second consecutive middleweight champion to vacate the title, just eight months later.
Both Prochazka and Hill were promised a shot at the middleweight title when they returned from injury. Although “Denisa” seems to be close to returning, he will have to win the vacant belt and possibly defend it once to guarantee a showdown with “Sweet Dreams”.