UFC 275: Jiri Prochazka receives hero’s welcome from thousands of fans in Czech Republic

The 29-year-old returns to hometown of Brno to parade new light heavyweight title, after dramatic victory over Glover Teixeira in Singapore

Prochazka vows to ‘be the hunter’ in all-Europe title defence against Jan Blachowicz – but is open to a rematch with Brazilian former champ

3-MIN READ3-MIN

New UFC light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka celebrates in front of thousands of fans in his hometown of Brno, in the Czech Republic. Photo Instagram/@paradigmsports

Published: 1:05pm, 14 Jun 2022

Jiri Prochazka received a hero’s welcome after returning to his hometown of Brno as the Czech Republic’s first UFC champion.

The 29-year-old “Denisa” secured a dramatic fifth submission of Glover Teixeira to swipe the light heavyweight title from the Brazilian at UFC 275 in an instant classic on Sunday morning in Singapore.

Prochazka (29-3-1) was back in the Czech Republic the next day, with around 7,000 fans turning up at a public homecoming event to celebrate as he hoisted his new title in the air on stage.

Prochazka has already identified his first challenger, and he will be on the hunt for a dominant win.

All signs point to a clash between Prochazka and the division’s former champion, Jan Blachowicz of Poland – potentially on European soil, as the UFC looks to resume its pre-pandemic schedule of international events.

“So now it’s Jan, the next challenger,” Prochazka said after his championship victory. “I’d like to fight Jan because I think the keys to defeat him, so let’s do it.

“I think Europe will be the best place for the fight between the Polish and Czech Republic. I think it’s too early to be talking about the next fight, but I know the next fight will be with Jan, and I will be prepared for that.”