Jiri Prochazka warns UFC 311 opponent to not be snouty about Alex Pereira loss: “It’s a big mistake”
Jamahal Hill may have misdirected hostility at Alex Pereira rather than UFC 311, says rival Jiri Prochazka.
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Jiri Prochazka tells Jamahal Hill to turn focus on their scrap at UFC 311 (Source: X/IMAGO)
If Jamahal Hill is counting his chickens, his next opponent has a fair warning for him. Jiri Prochazka, who meets him this weekend at UFC 311 PPV, says he may well be in for a rude awakening. “Sweet Dreams” has been lingering about how his loss to Alex Pereira was wrong.
Hill (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) was the prodigal UFC 205-pound champ who relinquished the title due to injury. Hill returned in a bid to take it back but faced a KO against dominant champion Pereira at UFC 300 PPV last April. The Team Black Lion Jiu-Jitsu fighter had some prime notions about that; ongoing ones. Prochazka says he has been splintering his focus in the wrong direction.
I will just say that it’s a big mistake, [not focusing]…When you are not focused on what’s right before you, and you’re looking for another opponent, it will cost you a lot. Who are you? It’s just about staying humble, staying focused on what’s before you.
Jiri Prochazka during UFC 311 PPV Media Day fighter interviews
Prochazka (30-5-1 MMA, 4-2 UFC) was a champ too, who submitted Glover Teixeira to win the title in June 2022. He later relinquished it because of his injury. In January 2023, Hill defeated Teixeira for the same belt, only to vacate it himself at a later date. Pereira KOed ‘Samurai’ out at UFC 295 to win the then-vacant 205-pound strap. But he moved on and rebounded with a second-round TKO at UFC 300 with a knockout of opponent Alexsandar Rakic.
He offers up the same to Hill. Prochazka failed yet another title bid to Pereira at UFC 303, which made him consider his choices and trajectory. However, the Czechia fighter refuses to lose focus or lose his spot in the pecking order due to it. As for his own future opponents, Prochazka has some clear ideas but refuses to overshoot.
Jiri Prochazka: Life improvements led to third shot at UFC champ after UFC 311
Jamahal Hill sees his UFC 311 bout with Jiri Prochazka as a No. 1 contender battle for gold. The former champs throw down on Saturday’s PPV main card at UFC 311 at the Intuit Dome. Hill ‘100 percent’ expects a title shot in short order with a UFC 311 win. Team Jetsaam Gym Brno’s Prochazka also sees this as a shot at title redemption.
He contemplated making big changes and even going down to 185 after a second title loss in 2024. But the former champ soon walked back on it. Speaking to MMAJunkie’s Mike Bohn before fight week, he said that he had made improvements and was eagle-eyed for gold. Now, he doubled down on it but first wants to clear the road ahead.
I don’t speak about other opponents, about who will be next, …Even if I said that I want to fight Alex Pereira a third time because I believe in myself, I believe in my style, in my changes of my style, changes in my personal lifestyle, everything – no. This is not the place right now. There is Jamahal Hill here this Saturday. I want to win…
Jiri Prochazka further said
Hill is obsessing with fighting Pereira again, and the Czech fighter finds it as a weakness. It’s the current fight that matters. One that could have significant title implications for the winner, while the loser pushes down the divisional ladder. Prochazka follows the disciplines of 61-duel “Kensei” and philosopher Miyamoto Musashi and is pretty much a “kill or be killed” guy.
Hill is more cautious but loud at times. Even if all the UFC 311 money line odds were to favor him, Hill’s opponent says his hostility is a bit weird.
Related: Jiri Prochazka reveals battling staph infection against Alex Pereira at UFC 303
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