The shoulder injury, title vacate, and withdrawal from UFC 282- all have come at the same time for Jiri Prochazka, but the Czech fighter is confident about making a comeback after six months.
Jiri Prochazka wants title shot as soon as he returns
‘BJP’ has suffered a worrying shoulder injured and is not going to fight Glover Teixeira at UFC 282 on December 10. Additionally, he has relinquished the light heavyweight championship out of respect for the other fighters in the division, to allow it to be put on the line without them having to wait for him to return to action.
Taking to Instagram, Prochazka revealed that he will be away for at least six months, but will make a run for the 205-pound belt as soon as he’s Octagon-ready.
“I am very disappointed to announce that I will not be defending my belt at @ufc 282. I was injured in training in Las Vegas while finishing my preparation for my title defense in the UFC’s light heavyweight division,” wrote Prochazka in his post on Instagram. “I injured my shoulder and surgery is required which will put me out of action for at least 6 months. Knowing this information, I have decided, after consulting with UFC management, that due to this time constraint, I will not hold light heavyweight division and will vacate the title. I will go for the UFC belt as soon as the doctors give me the green light to fight.”
“I’m going to go for the belt and I’m going to get it no matter who currently holds it,” Prochazka continued. “It’s always been the most important thing for me to put on the best performance and compare myself to the best. Let the best show no matter who’s there now. I’ll be back in six months and I’ll take the title whoever holds it. I apologize to my fans, friends, family who bought tickets and made plans to come to Las Vegas to support me, it means a lot to me. I also want to apologize to Glover. Victory!”
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UFC president Dana White revealed that the organization’s doctors classified the injury as “the worst in history” and that Prochazka will undergo surgery and a lengthy rehab will follow.
