UFC: Jiri Prochazka praises ‘very unique’ Israel Adesanya – ‘that’s the level – and much better – I want to be’
- Prochazka says he likes UFC middleweight champ Adesanya’s fighting style, and even aims to eclipse him
- Czech 28-year-old returns for UFC Vegas 25 main event against Dominick Reyes, looking to seal light heavyweight title shot
The UFC’s light heavyweight division is undeniably going through a period of transition.
Jon Jones vacated his belt and has departed for heavyweight, and new champion Jan Blachowicz (28-8) has expressed his intention to make the jump as well.
Then there’s Israel Adesanya, who hopped up from 185 pounds to take on the Pole at UFC 259 only to be outmuscled in a unanimous decision defeat.
But despite “The Last Stylebender” Adesanya (20-1) failing in his attempt at winning a second UFC title, No 5-ranked contender Jiri Prochazka – a new pretender to the 205-pound throne – was left impressed.
“Maybe, yeah,” Prochazka told SCMP MMA regarding the prospect of fighting the UFC’s middleweight king.
“But I really like him. Not personally, I don’t know him. But his style – it’s very unique. That’s what I want to do. That’s the level – and much better – where I want to be. Against Jan Blachowicz he showed very nice control of movement and it was incredible. Very nice.”