Jiri Prochazka understands what needs to happen if he ever wants to reach the championship level again following his UFC 303 loss to Alex Pereira.
Prochazka (30-5-1 MMA, 4-2 UFC) suffered a second loss to Pereira (11-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) in less than eight months Saturday when he was dropped and stopped in the second round of the light heavyweight title rematch at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, putting him in a difficult spot in the weight class.
It’s typically a challenging situation for fighters who are 0-2 against the current champion in their division, and that’s now the reality for Prochazka.
The former titleholder issued a statement in the aftermath of UFC 303, and acknowledge that growth to his skillset is require if he wants to reach the top, and if he can’t commit to that, then retirement is in play.
“Hello everyone – thank you for all your support,” Prochazka in a statement on Instagram. “Thanks to you Alex for the fight. You was better. And only one thing goes on my mind, that I need to evolve to the next level, or don’t fight again. So simple, to be the strongest, this is the way. Thank you. See you in the gym.”
Prochazka will likely face a medical suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission on the heels of the stoppage defeat.
The 31-year-old did not expand any further on what his future holds, but it’s clear he is reflecting seriously on what the result vs. Pereira means for his fighting future.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 303.
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Jiri Prochazka UFC 303 press conference
Jiri Prochazka UFC 303 press conference
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Alex Pereira UFC 303 press conference
Alex Pereira UFC 303 press conference
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Jiri Prochazka UFC 303 press conference
Jiri Prochazka UFC 303 press conference
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Alex Pereira UFC 303 press conference
Alex Pereira UFC 303 press conference
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Jiri Prochazka UFC 303 press conference
Jiri Prochazka UFC 303 press conference
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Alex Pereira UFC 303 press conference
Alex Pereira UFC 303 press conference
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Alex Pereira vs Jiri Prochazka press conference faceoff UFC 303
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Alex Pereira UFC 303 press conference
Alex Pereira UFC 303 press conference
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Jiri Prochazka – UFC 303 ceremonial weigh-ins
Jiri Prochazka – UFC 303 ceremonial weigh-ins
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Alex Pereira – UFC 303 ceremonial weigh-ins
Alex Pereira – UFC 303 ceremonial weigh-ins
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Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka
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Jiri Prochazka and Joe Rogan – UFC 303 ceremonial weigh-ins
Jiri Prochazka and Joe Rogan – UFC 303 ceremonial weigh-ins
Jiri Prochazka and Joe Rogan – UFC 303 ceremonial weigh-ins
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Alex Pereira and Joe Rogan – UFC 303 ceremonial weigh-ins
Alex Pereira and Joe Rogan – UFC 303 ceremonial weigh-ins
Alex Pereira and Joe Rogan – UFC 303 ceremonial weigh-ins
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MMA: UFC 303 – Pereira vs Prochazka
Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves) prepares to fight Alex Pereira…
Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves) prepares to fight Alex Pereira (not pictured) during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 303 – Pereira vs Prochazka
Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) prepares to fight Jiri Prochazka…
Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) prepares to fight Jiri Prochazka (not pictured) during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 303 – Pereira vs Prochazka
Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) fights Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves)…
Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) fights Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves) during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 303 – Pereira vs Prochazka
Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) fights Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves)…
Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) fights Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves) during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 303 – Pereira vs Prochazka
Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) fights Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves)…
Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) fights Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves) during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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Alex Pereira def. Jiri Prochazka, UFC 303 5 (Per)
Alex Pereira def. Jiri Prochazka, UFC 303
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Alex Pereira def. Jiri Prochazka, UFC 303 2 (Per)
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MMA: UFC 303 – Pereira vs Prochazka
Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) fights Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves)…
Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) fights Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves) during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 303 – Pereira vs Prochazka
Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) fights Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves)…
Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) fights Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves) during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 303 – Pereira vs Prochazka
Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) reacts after defeating Jiri Prochazka…
Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) reacts after defeating Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves) during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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Alex Pereira def. Jiri Prochazka, UFC 303 1 (UFC)
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MMA: UFC 303 – Pereira vs Prochazka
Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves) is helped after losing to…
Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves) is helped after losing to Alex Pereira (not pictured) during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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Alex Pereira def. Jiri Prochazka, UFC 303 3 (Per)
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MMA: UFC 303 – Pereira vs Prochazka
Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves) is helped after losing to…
Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves) is helped after losing to Alex Pereira (not pictured) during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 303 – Pereira vs Prochazka
Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) reacts after defeating Jiri Prochazka…
Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) reacts after defeating Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves) during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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Alex Pereira def. Jiri Prochazka, UFC 303 4 (Per)
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MMA: UFC 303 – Pereira vs Prochazka
Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) reacts after defeating Jiri Prochazka…
Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) reacts after defeating Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves) during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 303 – Pereira vs Prochazka
Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves) reacts after losing to Alex…
Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves) reacts after losing to Alex Pereira (red gloves) during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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Alex Pereira def. Jiri Prochazka, UFC 303 Scorecard
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