Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka called out both Magomed Ankalaev and Paulo Costa for his next fight inside the Octagon.
Prochazka was brutally knocked out by Carlos Ulberg in the first round at UFC 327 after injuring his opponent’s knee with brutal low kicks early in the fight. It was a shocking comeback by Ulberg, who was literally fighting on one leg when he knocked out the Czech native to win the belt.
Although Prochazka devastatingly lost, he is ready to get back into the cage and get back to work. Speaking to Ariel Helwani, Prochazka said that he has two names in mind for his return to the Octagon: the former champion Ankalaev and the newly-minted top-10 light heavyweight contender Costa. He is targeting a fall return date for his comeback fight.
“Something around October… right now, Costa or Ankalaev,” Proczhaka said of when he wants to return, and who he wants to return against.
Jiri Prochazka Can Get Back Into Title Contention With Big Win
Despite losing to Ulberg, Prochazka is still the No. 3-ranked UFC light heavyweight fighter, so he’s not far from getting back into title contention despite that devastating loss.
Both Ankalaev and Costa make a lot of sense for Prochazka’s next fight, as they are both highly-ranked opponents, not to mention strikers, making each a potentially fun fight for the fans.
Ankalaev has not fought since last fall when he was knocked out by rival Alex Pereira and lost the UFC light heavyweight title in his first title defense. As for Costa, he just knocked out the previously unbeaten Azamat Murzakanov at UFC 327, so he has a ton of momentum right now. He is ranked No. 7 in the division, but he carries a ton of name value.
Taking a look at the rest of the top 10, it’s easy to see why Prochazka specifically requested Ankalaev and Costa, as these are each fresh fights both for himself and the fans.
The No. 2-ranked Pereira has already knocked out Prochazka twice and is now at heavyweight. The No. 4-ranked Jan Blachowicz is injured and can’t fight anytime soon, and Prochazka has already beaten No. 5-ranked Khalil Rountree Jr. and No. 6-ranked Jamahal Hill. That’s why both Ankalaev and Costa are both sensible callouts for Prochazka in his return to the cage.
What Event Could Jiri Prochazka Return At?
The UFC has not announced its schedule for the last quarter of the year, but sources close to Heavy.com said that the promotion is planning stops in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and Salt Lake City, Utah, in October for numbered events. Prochazka could fight either Ankalaev or Costa on either of those events if they do indeed take place, potentially in the co-main event slot on either card. Despite losing to Ulberg by knockout, Prochazka is still one of the most exciting fighters in the game and a true fan favorite, so he will surely have a high placement on whatever card he returns to action on, and his comeback fight will be must-see television, as always.
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