Jiri Prochazka is working hard to get back into the game. It’s too bad that the original timeframe had to be scrapped in favor of a more reasonable return date. Provided that ‘Denisa’ continues his shoulder recovery without any extra issues, the fight between the former light heavyweight champion and the recently crowned kingpin at 205 pounds, Jamahal Hill, is likely to take place towards the end of the summer.
“(My) shoulder is great,” Prochazka told reporters. “So, I’m working on that every day. Last month, we did amazing work. That’s why I’m so happy for that. Everything’s going smoothly. Everything’s going step by step to be back [at] the end of this summer. September, something like that. Now, it’s April. I think I need [to] finish rehab and [make] a great preparation. Four more months I think. I wanna practice, practice, and practice. And I will see after one month.”
At UFC 283, former champion Glover Teixeira was scheduled to defend his title against Hill, but he lost in a devastating fashion and promptly retired. The status of “Sweet Dreams” is likely to stay “idle” until Prochazka is given the all-clear to make his comeback.
Meanwhile, the 205-pound weight class will have to get ready for a serious new threat. Alex Pereira, a former middleweight champion who appears to be through with his extreme weight cuts, will make his light heavyweight debut later this year. If he does well, he might be in line for a title shot after just a couple of wins.
Not everyone will want to battle Pereira because of his unique abilities, but it seems like Prochazka is eager to do so soon.
“Nice stand-up style guy, a lot of skills, and I’m looking forward to seeing him in our division because he is high,” Prochazka said. “He’s very good for our division. Good feeling in his movement, good timing. I’m glad to see guys like him in our division because it’s a new opportunity to show the best from us, because he’s a good stand-upper, it’s something good in our division. Alex is a good warrior, he has a very nice style. I like the style because it’s very simple, useful, and precise.”