Jan Blachowicz has discussed potentially fighting fellow former UFC champion Jiri Prochazka. Prior to losing his UFC light heavyweight title to Glover Teixeira in October 2021, Blachowicz had spoken about possibly defending the title in an all-European showdown against Prochazka.
Prochazka ended up defeating Teixeira in June 2022 and expressed interest in taking on Blachowicz in their much-discussed dream matchup in Europe. However, the Blachowicz-Prochazka fight didn’t come to fruition.
Prochazka was booked to fight Teixeira in a rematch in late 2022 but suffered a gruesome shoulder injury and had to pull out. Prochazka subsequently vacated the light heavyweight belt. His injury hiatus could likely extend till late 2023.
Following that, Jan Blachowicz faced Magomed Ankalaev for the vacant UFC light heavyweight title at UFC 282 in December 2022. Their fight ended in a controversial split draw, and the title remained without a champ.
During the UFC 282 post-fight press conference, UFC president Dana White announced that former UFC light heavyweight titleholder Glover Teixeira will face Jamahal Hill for the vacant 205-pound title. White confirmed that the matchup would transpire at UFC 283 on January 21, 2023.
In a recent interview with Sherdog, Poland’s Jan Blachowicz touched upon multiple topics, including a possible clash against the Czech Republic’s Jiri Prochazka. Upon being asked whether he’s a bit disappointed that he didn’t get to fight Prochazka, Blachowicz stated:
“I believe that somewhere in future, I’m gonna meet him in octagon. I wish him very fast recovery and good recovery. And I hope so that someday we’re gonna do this fight somewhere in Europe, you know.”
Watch Blachowicz discuss the topic at 3:09 in the video below:
Jiri Prochazka was unimpressed by Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev’s fight at UFC 282
The UFC 282 event was originally set to be headlined by a rematch between then-UFC light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka and Glover Teixeira. Nevertheless, Prochazka’s shoulder injury led to the UFC booking the Jan Blachowicz vs. Magomed Ankalaev bout for the vacant title to headline UFC 282.
As noted, Blachowicz and Ankalaev fought to a split draw, the title stayed vacant, and it’ll be Teixeira who’ll face Jamahal Hill for the vacant title on January 21. Meanwhile, Jiri Prochazka is expected to fight the Teixeira-Hill winner in late 2023.
Speaking to Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour last month, Prochazka notably criticized Blachowicz and Ankalaev. Sounding off on their UFC 282 performances, ‘BJP’ said:
“They [Ankalaev and Blachowicz] not gave 200% to get the title. Because for me, it’s simple, if you are in the UFC and if you are fighting for the title or every fight it doesn’t matter, you have to fight for life.”
Watch Prochazka’s assessment at the 59:20 mark in the video below: