Former UFC gentle heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka has set his sights on a trilogy bout with present champion Alex Pereira after each fighters secured victories at UFC 320 in Las Vegas on October 4, 2025. The Czech fighter desires to convey the title again to his homeland and believes he has discovered from his earlier errors.
Prochazka staged a dramatic comeback in opposition to Khalil Rountree Jr., scoring a third-round knockout at 3:04 after shedding the primary two rounds. The victory marked his second consecutive win and positioned him again in title competition following his earlier losses to Pereira.
In the principle occasion, Pereira reclaimed the sunshine heavyweight championship by ending Magomed Ankalaev through TKO at 1:20 of the primary spherical. The Brazilian dropped Ankalaev with a proper hand earlier than ending the battle with ground-and-pound strikes, avenging his March loss to the Russian fighter.
Jiri Prochazka Requires Third Title Combat with Alex Pereira Following UFC 320 Victories
Following their respective wins, Prochazka expressed his need for a 3rd encounter with Pereira throughout a current interview. The Czech fighter acknowledged the difficult nature of their earlier two conferences, each of which led to knockout losses for him at UFC 295 and UFC 303.
”There are completely different eventualities for Alex transferring ahead, he might battle me, Carlos Ulberg, or Jon Jones on the White Home,” Prochazka stated. “I need the third battle with Alex most of all, however I’m prepared for whoever. I need the title again within the Czech Republic and I’m going for that.”
The previous champion mirrored on his temporary title reign, which lasted lower than six months earlier than he vacated the belt as a result of a shoulder damage in November 2022. He underwent surgical procedure and spent over a yr recovering from what UFC President Dana White described as one of many worst shoulder accidents he had seen.
”Touching the belt final time was temporary as a result of I used to be injured, however now I do know my errors,” Prochazka said. “I need to be not only a champion for a couple of months however a secure champion. I don’t care what folks take into consideration who I battle subsequent—I really need that belt.”
Prochazka turned the primary Czech fighter to win a UFC championship when he defeated Glover Teixeira at UFC 275 in June 2022. His victory introduced unprecedented consideration to combined martial arts within the Czech Republic, with 1000’s of followers greeting him upon his return to his hometown of Brno.
The 32-year-old fighter displayed seen emotion throughout Pereira’s victory over Ankalaev, which he later defined as the belief {that a} trilogy battle was doable. In that second I noticed that there’s a potential third battle, third likelihood for me to achieve success,” he instructed Ariel Helwani. “I noticed deeply that that is one thing what you must win or nothing.”
Prochazka acknowledged the uphill battle he faces, being 0-2 in opposition to Pereira in championship bouts. Nevertheless, he stays assured that he could make the mandatory changes. “I’ll take all these two fights, what I’ve discovered from and I cannot repeat my errors,” he stated. “I might be simply higher. I’ll discover a manner.”
The trail to a trilogy battle is difficult by different contenders within the division. Carlos Ulberg has emerged as a number one candidate after his first-round knockout of Dominick Reyes at UFC Perth on September 27. The New Zealand fighter prolonged his profitable streak to 9 fights and has been vocal about deserving the subsequent title shot.
Pereira has additionally expressed curiosity in transferring as much as heavyweight to probably grow to be a three-division champion, which might have an effect on the sunshine heavyweight title image. The Brazilian champion broke his foot through the Ankalaev battle however indicated the damage wouldn’t require prolonged time away from competitors.
Present UFC rankings place Prochazka at No. 1 within the gentle heavyweight division alongside former champion Ankalaev, with Ulberg ranked No. 3. The division stays aggressive with a number of fighters vying for title alternatives.
Prochazka’s journey from road fighter and soccer hooligan to UFC champion has been well-documented. Earlier than discovering martial arts, he participated in organized group fights with rival soccer companies, generally involving 30-on-30 brawls. His transformation via fight sports activities coaching modified his life trajectory utterly.
The previous champion just lately accomplished his grasp’s diploma in safety and strategic research, which delayed his return to competitors earlier in 2025. He declined a title battle alternative in June to complete his college examinations, demonstrating his dedication to schooling alongside his combating profession.
With each fighters coming off spectacular victories at UFC 320, the stage seems set for a possible trilogy bout. Prochazka’s emotional funding in returning the title to the Czech Republic provides one other layer to what may very well be probably the most anticipated rematches within the gentle heavyweight division’s current historical past.
