Former UFC mild heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka has set his sights on a trilogy bout with present champion Alex Pereira after each fighters secured victories at UFC 320 in Las Vegas on October 4, 2025. The Czech fighter needs to deliver the title again to his homeland and believes he has realized from his earlier errors.
Prochazka staged a dramatic comeback towards Khalil Rountree Jr., scoring a third-round knockout at 3:04 after shedding the primary two rounds. The victory marked his second consecutive win and positioned him again in title competition following his earlier losses to Pereira.
In the main event, Pereira reclaimed the light heavyweight championship by finishing Magomed Ankalaev via TKO at 1:20 of the first round. The Brazilian dropped Ankalaev with a right hand before finishing the fight with ground-and-pound strikes, avenging his March loss to the Russian fighter.
Jiri Prochazka Calls for Third Title Fight with Alex Pereira Following UFC 320 Victories
Following their respective wins, Prochazka expressed his desire for a third encounter with Pereira throughout a latest interview. The Czech fighter acknowledged the difficult nature of their earlier two conferences, each of which led to knockout losses for him at UFC 295 and UFC 303.
”There are different scenarios for Alex moving forward, he could fight me, Carlos Ulberg, or Jon Jones on the White Home,” Prochazka mentioned. “I need the third struggle with Alex most of all, however I’m prepared for whoever. I need the title again within the Czech Republic and I’m going for that.”
The previous champion mirrored on his transient title reign, which lasted lower than six months earlier than he vacated the belt on account of a shoulder harm in November 2022. He underwent surgical procedure and spent over a 12 months recovering from what UFC President Dana White described as one of many worst shoulder accidents he had seen.
”Touching the belt last time was brief because I was injured, but now I know my mistakes,” Prochazka stated. “I want to be not just a champion for a few months but a stable champion. I don’t care what people think about who I fight next—I really want that belt.”
Prochazka became the first Czech fighter to win a UFC championship when he defeated Glover Teixeira at UFC 275 in June 2022. His victory introduced unprecedented consideration to combined martial arts within the Czech Republic, with hundreds of followers greeting him upon his return to his hometown of Brno.
The 32-year-old fighter displayed visible emotion during Pereira’s victory over Ankalaev, which he later explained as the realization that a trilogy fight was possible. In that moment I realized that there is a potential third fight, third chance for me to be successful,” he told Ariel Helwani. “I spotted deeply that that is one thing what you need to win or nothing.”
Prochazka acknowledged the uphill battle he faces, being 0-2 against Pereira in championship bouts. However, he remains confident that he can make the necessary adjustments. “I will take all these two fights, what I’ve learned from and I will not repeat my mistakes,” he said. “I will be just better. I will find a way.”
The path to a trilogy fight is complicated by other contenders in the division. Carlos Ulberg has emerged as a leading candidate after his first-round knockout of Dominick Reyes at UFC Perth on September 27. The New Zealand fighter extended his winning streak to nine fights and has been vocal about deserving the next title shot.
Pereira has also expressed interest in moving up to heavyweight to potentially become a three-division champion, which could affect the light heavyweight title picture. The Brazilian champion broke his foot during the Ankalaev fight but indicated the injury would not require extended time away from competition.
Current UFC rankings place Prochazka at No. 1 in the light heavyweight division alongside former champion Ankalaev, with Ulberg ranked No. 3. The division remains competitive with several fighters vying for title opportunities.
Prochazka’s journey from street fighter and football hooligan to UFC champion has been well-documented. Before discovering martial arts, he participated in organized group fights with rival football firms, sometimes involving 30-on-30 brawls. His transformation through combat sports training changed his life trajectory completely.
The former champion recently completed his master’s degree in security and strategic studies, which delayed his return to competition earlier in 2025. He declined a title fight opportunity in June to finish his university examinations, demonstrating his commitment to education alongside his fighting career.
With both fighters coming off impressive victories at UFC 320, the stage appears set for a potential trilogy bout. Prochazka’s emotional investment in returning the title to the Czech Republic adds another layer to what could be one of the most anticipated rematches in the light heavyweight division’s recent history.
