Jiri Prochazka might move to another weight division following UFC 303 loss, according to coach: "It will not be just my decision"
After suffering his second knockout loss to Alex Pereira at UFC 303, Jiri Prochazka appears to be considering a move to middleweight. While the former light heavyweight champion has teased the decision in the past, 'BJP' seems to be rethinking his entire career moving forward.
Prochazka's head coach, Martin Karaivanov, spoke on the status of his fighter following UFC 303 to the Czech-based TNCZ news site. In the interview, Karaivanov called a division change a "restart" for the 31-year-old.
In Czech, Karaivanov told TNCZ:
"[Jiri Prochazka] might consider moving to another weight class... It will not be just my decision but the team's decision. Middleweight would give meaning as a new restart. And then [potentially return] back to light heavyweight."
Though Prochazka is a former 205-pound champion still young in age, the fan favorite now owns two losses to the current titleholder. Historically, only Max Holloway has earned three title shots against the same champion without a single win over the incumbent in the modern UFC era.
With his second loss to Pereira on June 29, Prochazka dropped to 4-2 in the Octagon while picking up his second loss in his last three fights.
Has Jiri Prochazka ever competed at middleweight?
Though Jiri Prochazka — whose listed height is 6-foot-4 — has mentioned a potential move to middleweight before, he has never competed in MMA below 205 pounds. To fight at middleweight, the Czech would have to cut down an additional 20 pounds to the 185-pound limit.
Before signing with the UFC in 2020, 'BJP' was the defending RIZIN light heavyweight champion with wins over renowned fighters Muhammad 'King Mo' Lawal, CB Dollaway and Fabio Maldonado. Before taking the Japanese promotion's 205-pound title, Prochazka had also fought at heavyweight, winning the 2015 RIZIN Heavyweight Grand Prix.
Despite his history as a heavyweight in RIZIN, Prochazka has surprisingly not addressed a potential move to the 265-pound division in the UFC as he considers a change of scenery.