Due to a shoulder injury, Jiri Prochazka will be unable to complete at UFC 282. So as not to hold the 205lbs division, he made the decision to vacate the title in true sportsman fashion.
UFC President Dana White recently made an appearance on the podcast Chattin’ Pony hosted by Paddy Pimblett. Dana White provided further information about the injury that necessitated the cancellation of the main event fight.
“That night when it all went down and we had our doctor look at him, the doctor literally said, ‘In all the years at the UFC, this is the worst shoulder injury we’ve ever seen.’ It’s pretty nasty. Him being the savage that he is, he still wanted to fight. He said, ‘I can do this.’ No, you can’t fight, you can’t fight kid. He tore it good.”
White continued:
“[His shoulder] popped out and he had some guys there at the gym [trying to put it back in], and they ripped the s**t out of it. I’ll tell you, I told him, I tell all the fighters, if anything happens to you, jump in the f**king car and go to the hospital. We will pay for everything. People think these guys at the gym can fix your shoulder, don’t even risk it.”
With Prochazka no longer competing, Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev will square off for the light heavyweight title.
Jiri Prochazka’s choice to give up the light heavyweight belt was well-received by the MMA world. Dana White said that Prochazka will compete for the title after his comeback. But before he can compete again, there may be two title matches.
White said in an interview with Paddy Pimblett on his podcast:
“I gotta say this too about Jiri. He will still be looked at as the champion. He never lost the belt. He vacated it. These guys [Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev] will fight for the title. There might actually be two fights that happen before he’s able to return after that shoulder surgery.”
Glover Teixeira will probably face the winner of the light heavyweight championship match between Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 282. Prochazka could have the chance to regain his championship sometime in 2023 if no setbacks occur during his comeback.