Jiri Prochazka and Jamahal Hill face off at UFC 311. Photo: Super Fights Montage
The fight between Jiri Prochazka and Jamahal Hill, which takes place on the main card of UFC 311 this Saturday (18), in California (USA), is full of controversies behind the scenes. Starting with Alex Poatan himself, who inflamed things.
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As soon as the fight between the two former light heavyweight champions (up to 93kg) was announced, the Brazilian made a post on social media provoking the American. 'Calm down my son, pass this test and your father will give you a second chance', he wrote. (see below)
Calm down, my son. Pass this test and Dad will give you a second chance.
Calm down my son, pass this test and your father will give you a second chance. pic.twitter.com/ywr6gqj9XG
— Alex “Poatan” Pereira (@AlexPereiraUFC) November 29, 2024
In the world of MMA, the term 'father' is used humorously and symbolically to describe a fighter who dominates or has complete control over another fighter in a fight or in repeated encounters. This term comes from the idea that the 'dominant' fighter behaves as if he were an authority figure, almost like a father lecturing his son. When a fighter consistently or repeatedly beats another fighter, fans or even other fighters may joke that he is the 'father' of that opponent.
From then on, Jiri Prochazka and Jamahal Hill began a 'Cold War' before actually stepping into the octagon. Each criticized the other's performance, trying to prove who was the 'lesser of two evils' against the Brazilian. Poatan watched it all from the sidelines (and probably proud of the small flame ignited between the rivals). Including the American. came to speak that 'the Czech fighter who was dominated by Poatan, while he was caught'. Which does not change the final result of the fight.
Now, this Saturday, Prochazka and Hill have a chance for redemption. It promises to be a great fight, since both know that a defeat could complicate things in one of the most balanced divisions in the Ultimate. But as for coincidences, the Czech and the American only have the fact that they were champions in the category and are 'sons' of Poatan. In practice, the two fighters are very different in their personalities.
Jiri Prochazka, the 'Zen Samurai'
Jiri Prochazka is the samurai of the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @ufc
Dubbed the 'Czech Samurai' by fans and the media, Jiri boasts a calm and controlled, both inside and outside the octagon. The former champion's journey with samurai mysticism began about eight years ago, when his coach gave him 'The Book of Five Rings'. The work, a treatise on strategy and martial arts, especially kenjutsu (Japanese fencing), awakened a fascination in the fighter that remains with him to this day.
The first encounter with Poatan was on November 11, 2023, at UFC 295, which took place at Madison Square Garden in New York. The MMA world was eagerly awaiting to see who would be the new owner. of the vacant belt In the UFC light heavyweight division, a title vacated by Jamahal Hill after he suffered a serious injury, the former middleweight champion (up to 83,9 kg) from São Paulo was seeking to become a double champion in the organization. At the end of the second round, Prochazka collapsed after receiving a clean cross to the face, giving the victory by knockout and also the title to the Brazilian.
The rematch took place on June 29, 2024, at UFC 303 in Las Vegas. Alex Poatan accepted the challenge of taking center stage after Conor McGregor's withdrawal. After the Czech fighter was saved by the bell in the first round, the Brazilian landed a... clean high kick to the head at the beginning of the second round, knocking out his opponent immediately. Prochazka had his plans to regain the belt frustrated once again.
Even with the two defeats to Poatan, there is no resentment in Prochazka's words. The Czech fighter always mention some learning that he had before the Brazilian, in a humble posture, typical of a samurai. And, even though this 'son' lost twice, he wants a trilogy with his rival.
“I made the best of it. It wasn’t so much about the performance that night, but about the preparation for that fight, and I had to change many, many things. So in the last few months, I really worked on that, what to do, what not to do, what not to repeat. So here I am and ready for the next fight [against Poatan]. Every loss, every victory is the highlight of the career. So every battle, it doesn’t matter if it’s a victory. Win or lose, there’s always the chance to make the best of this experience of every fight,” said the Czech in one of his interviews.
Prochazka is also known for his exotic training. The MMA community jokes that they never see the Czech fighter sparring in a gym. A karate specialist, he prefers something more spiritual, worthy of martial arts films from the last century. (watch below)
At 32 years old, Jiri Prochazka is a very experienced fighter, with a record of 30 wins, five losses, and one draw. The Czech fighter has been in the UFC since 2020.
Jamahal Hill, the outrageous
J. Hill after victory over Glover Teixeira. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Unlike Prochazka, Jamahal Hill is much more explosive and provocative. His victory over Glover Teixeira in front of 13 people at the Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro only increased the American's antipathy among Brazilians. And this only worsened after Hill delivered knockout blows to Thiago Marreta Santos and Johnny Walker.
But the green and yellow revenge came on April 13, 2024, at UFC 300 in Las Vegas. After Glover, the provocateur Jamahal Hill now promised to reclaim the belt against Alex Poatan. But it was the Brazilian who avenged his mentor. The champion needed little more than that. of three minutes to 'erase' the opponent with a clean cross to the chin. 'Sweet Dreams' had sweet dreams and Poatan retained the title.
After his loss to Poatan at UFC 300, a barrage of taunts from Brazilian fans began circulating on the fighter's social media. Hill's arrogant attitude spares no one, not even his fans, who he even challenged to step into the octagon to face him.
While Prochazka says he learned lessons from his defeats to Poatan, Hill always finds an excuse for the setback or acts disrespectfully towards the Brazilian. The most recent case was in December of last year, when the two fighters they caused a mess at the UFC Performance Institute and which almost ended in physical violence… and without gloves. (watch below)
This is gold! Jamahal Hill and Alex Poatan met at UFC PI. Poatan threw his gloves at Hill and challenged him to a fight. The American refused.
The two were restrained by Plinio Cruz and Pablo Sucupira, from Fighting Nerds. What madness!
— Igor Ribeiro (@igorribeiromma) December 5, 2024
Hill has excellent fight vision and is a natural knockout artist, earning him the nickname 'Sweet Dreams'. The American has already knocked out two Brazilians in the UFC, Thiago Marreta Santos and Johnny Walker. With victories over these two plus Glover Teixeira, Jamahal could be called the 'Father of Brazil'. If it weren't for Alex Poatan…
At 33 years old, Jamahal Hill has a record of 12 wins and two losses. In the organization since 2020, the American has never had a losing streak, which could be a dangerous warning for Prochazka.
What awaits the winner?
Magomed Ankalaev should be Alex Poatan's next opponent. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Defeat is a possibility far from the minds of the two former light heavyweight champions. More than the belt, the second and third ranked fighters want the chance to take down Alex Poatan. Whether through a challenge or revenge.
But who said that a journey towards a goal has no obstacles? In this case, two. One of them is the number one ranked fighter, Magomed Ankalaev. The fighter from the Republic of Dagestan remains undefeated in the UFC and will likely be Poatan's next challenge, who has managed to avoid him so far. Many see him as a threat to the Brazilian's gold medal.
Jon Jones hopes to face Poatan in the heavyweight division. Photo: Reproduction/UFC India
The other factor is Alex Poatan's desire to move up to the heavyweight division (up to 120,2 kg) to face the current champion and MMA legend Jon Jones. Nearing retirement, 'Bones' also faces a similar problem to the Brazilian, Tom Aspinall. Many also believe that the interim champion could dethrone the American.
Whether it will be against Poatan or Ankalaev, Jiri Prochazka and Jamahal Hill don't yet have that answer. But for sure, the winner of the UFC 311 fight will be in the running again.
Read More about: Alex Poatán, Glover Teixeira, Jamahall Hill, Jiri Prochazka, Johnny Walker, Jon Jones, Magomed Ankalayev, Thiago Marreta Santos, Tom aspinall
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