“Best time for fighting,” Jiri Prochazka proposes ‘no time limit’ fights days before facing Alex Pereira for light heavyweight title fight

Jiri Prochazka wants the UFC to implement the old rule of fighting with no time limit and rounds in-between.

“Best time for fighting,” Jiri Prochazka proposes ‘no time limit’ fights days before facing Alex Pereira for light heavyweight title fight

Jiri Prochazka and Alex Pereira (Source: IMAGO)

Jiri Prochazka faces Alex Periera in the main event of UFC 295. In the leadup to the contest, he shared his thoughts on the concept of rounds in the UFC. In a conversation with Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour show, Prochazka showed his dislike towards the point-based scoring system. Further, he mentioned that the best time for fighting was back when there were no rounds and judges.

Jiri Prochazka told Helwani that he was preparing for 10-minute rounds when he was on the rise. The UFC had 10-minute first rounds back in the day. Further, he mentioned that accepting the 5-minute rounds rule made fighters conscious of their breathing and energy levels. However, he preferred the fights to have no time limit and reasoned that it would put true warrior spirit on display. Here is what he said:

I think the best time for fighting was when there was no time limit… Bring it back!
Jiri Prochazka (via MMA Hour)
YouTube video

The UFC had no rounds when it began back in November 1993. However, the sport of mixed martial arts has evolved so much as of today. We have 5-minute rounds in place with a 10-point scoring system with 3 judges on the cage side. This system was inspired by boxing to make MMA a legitimate sport and not just a barbaric fight show. However, Jiri Prochazka preferred the old way of fighting.

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Jiri Prochazka is known for his samurai antics and that’s part of the reason why he wants the fights to have no time limit. Now, he is returning from a serious shoulder injury to fight for the title he left behind. He is facing Alex Pereira for the light-heavyweight title this weekend in UFC 295.

Related: Alex Pereira Fight Record- How many defeats does “Poatan” have in his career?

Why did Jiri Prochazka vacate his light-heavyweight title?

Jiri Prochazka became the light-heavyweight champion in 2022 by defeating the veteran Glover Teixeira by submission. This fight went on to get the ‘Fight of the Year’ honors. Later, the UFC booked a rematch between the two. However, Prochazka injured his shoulder in the gym while preparing for the fight and pulled out. Subsequently, he decided to relinquish his title so that the division could move on with another champion.

Jiri Prochazka (via The Independent)

Jiri Prochazka’s shoulder injury was termed as the worst shoulder injury in the UFC. Dana White in a conversation with Paddy Pimblett said that the doctor who saw Prochazka said that it was the worst shoulder injury that he had seen in the history of UFC. He further mentioned how it happened. He stated that Prochazka’s shoulder popped while training and his team members messed it up trying to resolve the issue. Here is what White said:

The doctor literally said, 'In all the years at the UFC, this is the worst shoulder injury we've ever seen.'  He tore it good. [His shoulder] popped out and he had some guys there at the gym, and they ripped the sh** out of it.
Dana White (via Youtube)

Jiri Prochazka is now fully healed and is ready to fight for the belt he left behind. He faces Alex Pereira in UFC 295 for the light-heavyweight title.

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