Jiri Prochazka could be the new UFC light heavyweight champion after next weekend, but that doesn’t mean “BJP” isn’t interested in a potential move to heavyweight. After all, his former rival, Alex Pereira, will be waiting with open arms.
In case you forgot, Prochazka will face Carlos Ulberg at UFC 327 on April 11 to determine the next UFC light heavyweight king. That’s because Pereira vacated his 205-pound belt in order to move up heavyweight and land a spot on the upcoming UFC White House card in June.
This, and only this, is the reason why Prochazka is fighting for another UFC title. Pereira already holds two wins over Prochazka so a trilogy fight at 205 pounds would need a lot of convincing.
Prochazka, who has only lost to “Poatan” inside of the Octagon, is completely focused on the task at hand. Even with a baby on the way the former UFC light heavyweight champion is only worried about Ulberg and taking home the vacant strap at UFC 327 in Miami, Florida. After that, he would entertain the idea of chasing Pereira down at heavyweight and locking down his desired trilogy fight.
“When I fought in Rizin in Japan, I fought with the heavyweight guys many times,” Prochazka told MMA Junkie earlier this week when asked if a move to heavyweight could be in his future. “I can push my body to show much more strength and be able to fight with these types of guys, with these heavyweight and still be faster, more endurance, precise, all these things so it’s a really good idea for me.”
First thing’s first, Prochazka needs to get past a surging Ulberg next weekend at UFC 327. If he’s able to do that and Pereira walks away with the interim UFC heavyweight title at the White House card then maybe, just maybe, a trilogy fight could come together.
