Jiri Prochazka Re-Matching Glover Teixeira at UFC 282 to ‘Keep His Word’ and Clearly Settle Rivalry
- 2 years ago
JIRI PROCHAZKA is re matching Glover Teixeira so as to keep his "word" to the former light-heavyweight champion.
Prochazka ascended to the 205lb throne in June with a thrilling submission victory over the veteran at UFC 265 in Singapore.
The pride of the Czech Republic survived the biggest scare of his UFC career early in the final round before choking his way to the light-heavyweight strap.
A rematch - which an unsatisfied Prochazka called for after his triumph - is currently in the works for December, despite surging contender Magomed Ankalaev's ninth consecutive victory last month.
The prospect of locking horns with Ankalaev intrigues Prochazka, but not enough for him to go back on his promise to Teixeira.
The 29-year-old told SunSport: "For me, it doesn't matter [who I fight next]. I know I'm at the top and I will challenge whoever.
"But, I said Glover and I want to keep my word."
Although there was a definitive ending to their light-heavyweight classic, Prochazka is seeking decisive closure second time around.
He continued: "I want to keep my word so that's the same. I want to challenge Glover. And [win the] fight with him clearly."
Prochazka made it clear to the UFC brass that turning in a better performance against Glover in a rematch whet his appetite more than facing Ankalaev or former champion Jan Blachowicz.
He said: "I spoke with the organization and the best way will be to defend the title against Glover because everybody wants that fight.
"Everybody saw that Glover deserves that fight because I won 20 seconds before the end of the fight.
"I think that will be the best case right now.
"But I'm ready and I'll be ready for the other challengers in Ankalaev or Blachowicz - it doesn't matter."
Prochazka has provided nothing but highlights during his two-year stint in the mixed martial arts' premier promotion.
The former RIZIN light-heavyweight champion made a spectacular debut on Fight Island in July 2020, knocking former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir out cold in just under six minutes.
Prochazka then scored an outrageous spinning-back elbow knockout of former title challenger Dominick Reyes ten months later - a victory that bagged him a crack at UFC gold.
And he sensationally edged a Fight of the Year contender with Teixeira with a rear-naked choke with a mere 28 seconds on the clock to become the Czech Republic's first UFC champion.
Prochazka ascended to the 205lb throne in June with a thrilling submission victory over the veteran at UFC 265 in Singapore.
The pride of the Czech Republic survived the biggest scare of his UFC career early in the final round before choking his way to the light-heavyweight strap.
A rematch - which an unsatisfied Prochazka called for after his triumph - is currently in the works for December, despite surging contender Magomed Ankalaev's ninth consecutive victory last month.
The prospect of locking horns with Ankalaev intrigues Prochazka, but not enough for him to go back on his promise to Teixeira.
The 29-year-old told SunSport: "For me, it doesn't matter [who I fight next]. I know I'm at the top and I will challenge whoever.
"But, I said Glover and I want to keep my word."
Although there was a definitive ending to their light-heavyweight classic, Prochazka is seeking decisive closure second time around.
He continued: "I want to keep my word so that's the same. I want to challenge Glover. And [win the] fight with him clearly."
Prochazka made it clear to the UFC brass that turning in a better performance against Glover in a rematch whet his appetite more than facing Ankalaev or former champion Jan Blachowicz.
He said: "I spoke with the organization and the best way will be to defend the title against Glover because everybody wants that fight.
"Everybody saw that Glover deserves that fight because I won 20 seconds before the end of the fight.
"I think that will be the best case right now.
"But I'm ready and I'll be ready for the other challengers in Ankalaev or Blachowicz - it doesn't matter."
Prochazka has provided nothing but highlights during his two-year stint in the mixed martial arts' premier promotion.
The former RIZIN light-heavyweight champion made a spectacular debut on Fight Island in July 2020, knocking former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir out cold in just under six minutes.
Prochazka then scored an outrageous spinning-back elbow knockout of former title challenger Dominick Reyes ten months later - a victory that bagged him a crack at UFC gold.
And he sensationally edged a Fight of the Year contender with Teixeira with a rear-naked choke with a mere 28 seconds on the clock to become the Czech Republic's first UFC champion.