Jiri Prochazka isn't happy with Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev's performance at UFC 282
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka has criticized Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev for their respective performances at UFC 282. Prochazka was scheduled to defend the title in a rematch against Glover Teixeira at UFC 282 on December 10th. However, a shoulder injury forced 'BJP' out of the Teixeira fight.
Prochazka vacated the 205-pound title, as he didn't want to hold up the division. The UFC then booked the Blachowicz-Ankalaev fight for the vacant title. The Blachowicz-Ankalaev showdown ended in a split draw, owing to why the belt is still vacant.
Speaking to CBS Sports' Shakiel Mahjouri, Jiri Prochazka has opined that Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev didn't give it their all in the title matchup at UFC 282. Prochazka stated:
"I thought about their fight. They had to show, I think, a better fight because it was title fight. And for the title fight, doesn't matter if it's title fight. But in every fight, you have to give their 200 percent. And they showed just half of that. And that's look like they are not the right challengers for a title."
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Jan Błachowicz vs. Magomed Ankalaev ends in a split draw!
#UFC282 https://t.co/tks93DmVFd
Mahjouri chimed in and indicated that Blachowicz and Ankalaev had big shoes to fill, as the previous light heavyweight title matchup was a thrilling fight that saw Prochazka beat Teixeira via fifth-round submission. 'BJP' agreed with Mahjouri and asserted, "Yeah. That's how I see that."
Besides, Prochazka believes that Ankalaev deserved to win on the scorecards, albeit by a small margin. However, the Czech fighter suggested that the fight being scored as a draw wasn't unfair either. 'BJP' added:
"So, I think that that [a draw] is okay. But if you're fighting for a title, you have to show something special. You have to show everything, yeah, to give in the fight, everything. That's my opinion."
Watch Jiri Prochazka discuss the topic at 2:57 in the video below:
Dana White on the negligence that worsened Jiri Prochazka's shoulder injury
In the aftermath of UFC 282, Dana White announced that Glover Teixeira will face Jamahal Hill for the vacant light heavyweight title at UFC 283 on January 21st, 2023. It's believed that the Teixeira-Hill matchup's winner would fight Jiri Prochazka, who's likely to be out for 6-12 months. Moreover, White addressed Prochazka's shoulder injury.
Speaking to Paddy Pimblett on the Chattin Pony podcast a few weeks ago, White explained that Prochazka's injury worsened as he and others at his gym tried to fix it by themselves. Advising fighters to seek professional medical attention instead, the UFC president said:
"We will pay for everything. People think that these guys at the gym can fix your shoulder. Don't even risk it. Just go to the hospital."
Watch White's assessment below: