“Let’s see if the Samurai step up” – Aleksandar Rakic issues challenge to Jiri Prochazka after ‘Legendary bull****’ Jan Blachowicz pulls out due to injury

Aleksandar Rakic became furious after his return fight from injury gets canceled due to an injury sidelining Jan Blachowicz. Rakic went on X to criticize Jan and issue callout to a familiar face.

“Let’s see if the Samurai step up” – Aleksandar Rakic issues challenge to Jiri Prochazka after ‘Legendary bull****’ Jan Blachowicz pulls out due to injury

Aleksandar Rakic issues callout to Jiri Prochazka after Jan Blachowicz withdrew (Source: UFC/Twitter)

Aleksandar Rakic reacted angrily upon learning Jan Blachowicz pulled out of their UFC 297 bout. Jan pulled out due to an injury. Rakic wanted the chance to avenge his loss to Blachowicz. This made Rakic issue a callout to Jiri Prochazka in the hopes of fighting at UFC 297.

Rakic and Blachowicz fought each other in May 2022 in a five-round fight. The first round went in favor of Blachowicz, and the second went to Rakic. However, a leg kick injured Rakic in the third round, and Blachowicz walked out as the winner. Rakic has waited for the chance to avenge, but Jan’s withdrawal made him furious. This is how Rakic reacted:

You can never lose a rematch when you pull out for the second time. Legendary Bullsh*t. Let's see if the Samurai has the balls to step up on Jan 20th. @Mickmaynard2 @danawhite...
Aleksandar Rakic via X
YouTube video

Rakic has not fought in over 18 months. He remained restless about returning to the octagon in January, hence issuing a callout to Jiri Prochazka. A fight between Rakic and Prochazka remains exciting for the fight fans. However, what the UFC decides remains to be seen. There is a chance that someone could replace Blachowicz, but it might not feature Prochazka.

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Meanwhile, Prochazka is fresh off a loss to Alex Pereira at UFC 295. Rakic is an excellent fighter and looked forward to fighting Jiri for a long time. They have even engaged in to-and-fro banter, with Rakic making callouts before. However, it remains to be seen if the duo will fight at UFC 297.

Jiri Prochazka answers Aleksandar Rakic’s callout for January bout

Aleksandar Rakic and Jan Blachowicz were scheduled to face off in a long-hyped rematch at UFC 297. But with the latter incurring a sudden injury, the bout is off. Subsequently, Rakic has again extended an offer to fight Jiri Prochazka. This is not the only secluded time he has done so and he remains hell-bent on such a pairing for a very long time.

Jiri Prochazka answers call to Aleksandar Rakic, after bout with Jan Blachowicz falls through
Jiri Prochazka answers call to Aleksandar Rakic after bout with Jan Blachowicz falls through (Source: Twitter)

In a recent tweet, Rakic called out Jiri once again. Prochazka, in turn, replied that he was ready for it, but wanted time till February or March. While he did pledge a dominant return, it appears he needs time to heal from the knockout loss to Alex Pereira. Check out the tweet from Prochazka below:

With the corresponding reply, the chance now lies in Rakic’s court. Many fans and peers have also sided with Prochazka’s decision for a timely but well-rested return. It now entirely depends on Rakic to accept the callback. Either he fights someone else at UFC 297 or waits till February or March to fight Prochazka.

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