Alex Poatan's rival announces intention to leave the category, but only on one condition

Jiri Prochazka before his UFC fight. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

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In 2024, Alex Poatan definitively dispatched Jiri Prochazka , after knocking him out for the second time at UFC 303. One of the most dangerous opponents in the light heavyweight division (up to 93 kg), there was speculation about a move down to middleweight (up to 83,9 kg), indicated by the athlete himself. However, it seems that this idea has been postponed, as the fighter still has a goal in the division where he was champion in 2022.

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In an interview with Canadian journalist Ariel Helwani last Monday (16), the fighter spoke a little about his expectations for the future and his aspirations for the next steps in the division.

“I thought about it a lot (moving up to middleweight), but light heavyweight is my division, and I want to stay there… That’s it, I said to myself ‘I’m going to go to middleweight, but first, I need to get back on the light heavyweight throne’. I know it sounds really crazy because Alex is there and he won it twice, but I still believe and I’m really open to making big changes in my life to do that, to make it happen,” said the Czech.

Alex Poatan knocked out Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303 (Photo: Instagram/UFC)

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Even though he made it clear that the additional weight cut would not be a problem for his health and performance, the fighter did not fail to take into account his physical situation in relation to the other members of the current category.

“Of course, it wouldn’t be a problem for me to do that… But I feel strong, I’m the guy who has one of the best physical exams in the light heavyweight division – I’m much stronger than most of the guys in the division. I’m ready for it.”

Jiri Prochazka will face another old rival from Poatan

Despite the difficulty in securing another title shot, Prochazka will face Jamahal Hill at the first numbered event of 2025, UFC 311. Although both were brutally knocked out by Poatan, the winner retains his position as one of the top representatives in the division.

Jamahal Hill and Jiri Prochazka face off at UFC 311 (Photo: Montage/SUPER LUTAS)

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