UFC: Jiri Prochazka warns Israel Adesanya of dangers at light heavyweight – ‘he must be careful’
- Middleweight champ moves up a division to challenge light heavyweight king Jan Blachowicz at UFC 259 on March 6
- No 5-ranked Prochazka has no qualms with ‘Stylebender’ jumping the queue for title shot and dreams of future clash
Jiri Prochazka has a friendly warning for Israel Adesanya.
The date has been set for UFC middleweight champ Adesanya (20-0) to move up a division and challenge Jan Blachowicz (27-8) for the light heavyweight title at UFC 259 on March 6, setting the stage for the Nigerian-Kiwi to earn legend status by becoming only the fifth individual to hold two titles simultaneously for the organisation.
But No 5-ranked light heavyweight Prochazka (27-3-1) of the Czech Republic points to one glaring factor that could be the difference-maker.
“[Adesanya] must be much more careful because in our division the punches are more dangerous than in the 84 kilograms, in the middleweight,” the former Rizin champ told SCMP MMA.
There are many who are likely perplexed the middleweight champ is skipping the queue at 205 pounds and instantly challenging for the title, yet the 28-year-old Prochazka has no qualms.
“[Adesanya] is the champ at 84kg,” he said. “Like [Conor] McGregor, he was the champ in one division and jumped to another division and fought with another champ. So I think everything is correct.
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“If somebody is the champ, I think he can fight with another champ. That’s the simple rule so I understand that. And I am looking forward for [having] him in our division.”
On top of bringing star power, Adesanya carries an undefeated record and an air of confidence only found in a small percentage of individuals who step into the cage.
“He’s looking like he enjoys it,” Prochazka added. “His movement, he knows his power and the strategy. And he knows how to use that in the right moves step by step. That’s something magic for me.”
“Denisa” is uncertain over the possibility of a future clash with “The Last Stylebender” but he is undoubtedly fascinated by the prospect.
“Every time when there is some special guy, with some special style, and with special power, I’d like to compete [against] him,” Prochazka said. “I’d like to challenge this guy because I’m enjoying not just myself, I’m enjoying to connect [with] that guy and to think about how to put you sleep.
“That’s something in me. What makes me happy in the fight. To be smarter and enjoying this connecting between us.”
A week before Adesanya challenges Blachowicz for the light heavyweight belt, Prochazka is set to face No 3 Dominick Reyes in the headlining bout on February 27 in Las Vegas. Reyes is coming off a second-round TKO defeat by the Pole, when the vacant belt was on the line at UFC 253.
“I’m looking forward to the fight,” Prochazka said. “He has a very special style. With my team we work on that, and I’m happy for that because it’s the change in my preparing, and I like these changes because it’s not the same like last time.
“I need to grow my style, it’s motivation for me and I like that. I’m happy to be challenged by this guy who is one of the best on the planet. I just wanna show I’m much better than him. It’s more than just some moving, punching. It’s about strategy, breathing, emotions you feel in a fight. It’s more than the physical game you play in the cage.”
