Jiri Prochazka wants you to know that his next fight hasn’t been locked down yet … although that could change at any minute.
The Czech light heavyweight contender has been taking it easy since defeating Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 320 in what we considered one of the best fights of 2025. Normally Jiri retreats into the woods to punch trees and fast in absolute darkness, but this winter he’s doing boring domestic things like spending more time with his wife and celebrating the impending arrival of his baby.
If the UFC wants him back in the cage they’ll have to move fast, because “BJP” wants to be around to help raise his daughter through the first months of her life. And despite rumors to the contrary, Prochazka wants the world to know a rumored fight against Carlos Ulberg is not booked.
“Just quickly, all these informations on internet about me and Ulberg is not true because the fight is not confirmed yet, it’s still in negotiating,” Prochazka said on his Instagram. “And just for me, I can say I want to fight till the March because in April is a time for baby. So this is the only one thing what I can say, and that I want to fight for title.”
That’s some tight matchmaking as March 7th’s UFC 326: Holloway vs. Oliveira is filling up fast and UFC 327 in Miami is on April 11. Is that too close to baby time for Jiri or would he say “Let’s go for that!” We think he’d have already gone for it if it wasn’t a problem.
Then there’s the title situation. While nothing is confirmed at this point, there’s a lot of talk that current 205 pound champion Alex Pereira could move up to heavyweight, leaving the light heavyweight title vacant. But will that happen in time for Prochazka to get his wish of a title fight before baby time? And if it doesn’t, would Jiri just wait until the summer before coming back?
As always, there’s a lot of moving pieces for UFC matchmakers and execs to fit together before anything is concrete. Here’s hoping Prochazka (and the fans) get what they want this spring.
