{"id":870637,"date":"2026-08-27T20:28:13","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T20:28:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/870637\/"},"modified":"2026-08-27T20:28:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T20:28:13","slug":"ex-ufc-champ-jiri-prochazka-clarifies-return-timeline-for-next-ufc-fight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/870637\/","title":{"rendered":"Ex-UFC Champ Jiri Prochazka Clarifies Return Timeline for Next UFC Fight"},"content":{"rendered":"

Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jiri Prochazka has spoken out again <\/a>about his next fight and provided a clearer timeline for his return to the Octagon.<\/p>\n

Although he still doesn’t have a confirmed opponent, Prochazka intends to compete before the end of the year and has a rough idea for when he’d like to return, even though the conversation around his next fight is still murky to say the least.<\/p>\n

As for current champion Carlos Ulberg, <\/a>who is still recovering from an ACL tear in his right knee following his win over Prochazka at UFC 327 <\/a>in April, has allowed Prochazka to take his time as he awaits official confirmation of an opponent this fall or early winter, he said.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udea8 Jiri Prochazka wants to return in November\/December against a top 5 opponent \ud83d\udc40<\/p>\n

\u201cI definitely want to fight in October, November or December. October is starting to look unrealistic though. I need a great training camp and at least two months of time, so realistically\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/v4NU6EtUBN<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 27, 2026<\/a>What’s Next for Jiri Prochazka?\"Prochazka<\/p>\n

Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Jiri Prochazka during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

\u201cI definitely want to fight in October, November or December,” Prochazka told Nova Sport. <\/a>“October is starting to look unrealistic, though. I need a great training camp and at least two months of time, so realistically November or December are the options.”<\/p>\n

Prochazka’s rhetoric of October being “unrealistic” couldn’t be more cumbersome for the UFC, as its main event for UFC 332 is still unconfirmed as of Thursday<\/a>. The event is set to take place in Salt Lake City, Utah, a hotbed for numbered events in recent years, on Saturday, Oct. 3.<\/p>\n

The same goes for UFC 334 at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Saturday, Nov. 14, although there is more time regarding planning purposes for that event. A similar situation is brewing for Saturday, Dec. 12, which will see UFC 335 transpire from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.<\/p>\n

Jiri Prochazka Has Key Stipulations Ahead of Next Fight\"Prochazka<\/p>\n

Apr 7, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; UFC fighter Jiri Prochazka prepares to throw a ceremonial pitch before the game between the Miami Marlins against the Cincinnati Reds at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

“Above all, I want it to be a top-five opponent, a quality opponent who is close to a title fight,” Prochazka added. “I want someone across from me who makes me say, \u2018Yes, this is a challenge.\u2019 And at the same time, I want an opponent who will genuinely move me closer to a title fight and to becoming champion again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Prochazka has won three of his last five fights, with his only two losses coming to the current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion in Ulberg and ex-two-division champion Alex Pereira.<\/p>\n

Jiri Prochazka Has Held UFC Gold Previously\"Prochazka<\/p>\n

Jun 12, 2022; Singapore, SIN; Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves) fights Glover Teixera (red gloves) during UFC 275 at Singapore Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Miller-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

Prochazka briefly held the title in June 2022, defeating then-champion Glover Teixeira at UFC 275 in heroic fashion as he secured a rear-naked choke stoppage in the final minutes of the fifth round. A planned rematch never materialized due to injuries, as Teixeira eventually retired before the division moved on entirely.<\/p>\n

For the time being, Prochazka has found himself in title contention as he’ll look to regain the title he never got to fully hold onto.<\/p>\n

For now, we’ll see what the UFC does next.<\/p>\n

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