Concerned fans react as a tubed up Jiri Prochazka posts picture from hospital bed
Jiri Prochazka suffered what Dana White described as "the worst shoulder injury UFC doctors have ever seen" several weeks ago in a training accident.
The former UFC light heavyweight champion was preparing to face Glover Teixeira in the main event of UFC 282 this weekend. He was forced to pull out of the fight on short notice.
Prochazka recently uploaded a photo of himself in the hospital post-surgery with tubes running in and out of his shoulder to manage the drainage of fluids in the injured area.
Despite his stoic persona, fans were quick to express care and concern for the former champion, wishing him a quick and complete recovery.
See Prochazka's tweet below:
π€©β‘οΈπβ‘οΈπ€© https://t.co/kiBZKTANEQ
@wannmma reacted to Jiri Prochazka's tweet by assuring the former champion that he would return "in no time."
"You should be back in the Octagon in no time with Threat Resilience. I am praying for you from Japan."
@jiri_bjp You should be back in the Octagon in no time with Threat Resilience.
I am praying for you from Japanπ―π΅
#UFC #RIZIN
Many fans, such as @JoeyPickardMMA, wished the former champion a healthy recovery.
@jiri_bjp Healthy recovery champ ππ»
@jiri_bjp Come back stronger champ πͺπ
@jiri_bjp Recover quickly champ β€οΈ
@jiri_bjp Minor setback, major comeback.
@jiri_bjp Speedy recovery Jiri, can't wait to see you back!
@jiri_bjp Feel better soon champ!
Considering the fact that Prochazka vacated the UFC light heavyweight title and didn't lose it in a fight, many fans still regard him as the champion at 205 pounds.
@jiri_bjp Real champion.
@jiri_bjp My champ βοΈ
@jiri_bjp #StillChamp π₯·π½β‘οΈ Get well Samurai
Dana White claims Jiri Prochazka still wanted to fight after shoulder injury
Dana White recently appeared on Paddy Pimblett's podcast, Chattin Pony, and revealed that Jiri Porchazka still wanted to fight in UFC 282's main event despite his shoulder injury.
According to the UFC president, Prochazka dislocated his shoulder during training. Instead of seeking medical attention, his training partner tried to put the shoulder back into the socket, which caused untold damage to the surrounding ligaments.
White stated on Pimblett's podcast that Prochazka was still interested in fighting at UFC 282 despite the injury. However, UFC doctors told the former champion that he needed to start being more realistic.
White said the following:
"Doctor literally said that in all the years at the UFC this is the worst shoulder injury we've ever seen. So it's pretty nasty. And [Prochazka] being the f***ing savage that he is, still wanted to fight. He said, 'I can do this.' No, you can't fight. Yeah he tore it good."
Watch the comments below from 1:40:
The new main event of UFC 282 will be contested for the UFC light heavyweight title that was vacated by Jiri Prochazka. Magomed Ankalaev is set to face former champion Jan Blachowicz.