On the most basic level, the UFC 275 headliner seems to boil down to the classic striker vs. grappler matchup.
Reigning champion Glover Teixeira claimed the light heavyweight strap with a rear-naked choke victory against Jan Blachowicz at UFC 267, and prevailing logic suggests that the ground game is his best path to victory against Jiri Prochazka, a former Rizin title holder with 25 career knockout or technical knockout victories to his credit. Prochazka himself is well aware of Teixeira’s abilities and he’s spent a significant period shoring up his weaknesses in preparation for their championship clash.
“That started in the beginning of this year, preparation to be better in wrestling and jiu-jitsu,” Prochazka said at UFC 275 media day (video via MMAjunkie.com) “How to react, to change my the nature of my reaction to include wrestling in my standup style. I think that was the hardest thing I had to accept. After some time, I found some keys to help me do that. Now I think I can wrestle with him easily. I can react to his fakes for wrestling and jiu-jitsu.”
If the fight does go to the ground, Prochazka plans to attack with a purpose.
“I’m not like other fighters who want to play jiu-jitsu or train jiu-jitsu,” he said. “For me, the ground game is simple: ground-and-pound and find the finish. Nothing else.”
UFC 275 will mark Prochazka’s first Octagon appearance since May 2021, when he established himself as a contender in waiting with a second-round KO of former title challenger Dominick Reyes at UFC on ESPN 23. The Czech Republic native was more active early in his career, but the delay between fights is not something he considers to be a hindrance.
“I’m taking it step by step, every fight. In my youngest time, I need to fight more because I was finding my style,” he said. “Now, I’m just sharpening the details. This time between the fights, it’s helping me to be better in every step.”
Many observers see Prochazka as the uncrowned champion at light heavyweight. That includes former pound-for-pound great Georges St. Pierre, who recently said he sees “Denisa” as a future title holder.
“That’s a huge honor. I read that yesterday. I talked about him and I think he’s a true warrior because he’s still working,” Prochazka said. “He’s not fighting actively but he’s still working because he loves it. I am the same. I love the fighting and it’s a big honor for me.”
Prochazka isn’t feeling the pressure as the favorite against Teixeira heading into the UFC 275 main event. Instead, he is simply at peace knowing he has done everything in his power to be ready for the moment.
“I feel in the best shape of my life. I feel healthy, I feel in a good mood. Everything is prepared,” he said. “I’m just gonna prove that in the fight I am the best one.”
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