Jiri Prochazka is convinced he will (eventually) find a way to defeat Alex Pereira.
That may require “BJP” to follow “Poatan” to the heavyweight division. The Brazilian recently vacated his light heavyweight title and will move up in weight for his Octagon return. While nothing is official at this time, Pereira is rumored to be fighting Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight strap.
“I’m not surprised,” Prochazka said of Pereira vacating his belt on The Ariel Helwani Show. “I think it’s a gentleman thing. When you go up, it’s normal to release the title. I hoped (to meet Pereira again). Possible opponents for me, there was Ulberg or Pereira. I wanted just one of these two for a title fight because I think other fighters don’t deserve it, and I made enough to take back what’s mine. I believe sooner or later Alex Pereira will come in my way.”
Pereira (13-3) already holds two victories over Prochazka (32-5-1), scoring finishes at both UFC 295 and UFC 303. Regardless, Prochazka has an opportunity to reclaim the 205-pound crown by turning away No. 3-ranked Carlos Ulberg (13-1) atop the UFC 327 fight card next month in Miami.
“I already chose the way I like to hunt Ulberg because he don’t like the pressure,” Prochazka said. “He don’t like to be hunted. This is what I say to myself. I need to be that one who catches this guy. There is no other way to fight with him. He is fast, good kickboxer, he likes to jump a lot, to be light on the legs. He don’t like to wrestle. He don’t like to be on the ground. So, pressure, pressure. That’s it.”
Prochazka opened as a slight betting favorite over “Black Jag.”
