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Jiri Prochazka catches Volkan Oezdemir in their light heavyweight fight at UFC 251. Photos: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

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.”

Israel Adesanya punches Jan Blachowicz in their light heavyweight championship fight at UFC 259.

There are plenty of parallels to be drawn between Adesanya and Prochazka (27-3-1), who will step into his first UFC main event this weekend event to take on No 3-ranked Dominick Reyes (12-2).

 The Nigeria-born Kiwi arrived in the UFC having fought mostly in Asia and Australasia and completely shook up his division. Similarly, 28-year-old Czech “Denisa” established himself as a dominant champion in Japan with Rizin before knocking out former challenger Volkan Oezdemir (17-5) on his debut last July.

If he wins his second fight in the promotion against Reyes at UFC Vegas 25, he is likely to be awarded a title shot – in what could be an even quicker rise to the title than Adesanya. 

 

“I’m glad to show my style because I’m trying to show the beauty of the martial arts and the beauty of using the mind in fighting, using the body,” Prochazka said.

“For me it’s not some fight. It’s not personal. This is for me art. I’m building some artist’s thing. I like to take it like that. I’m glad I’m now in the UFC and all the world can watch it.”

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