Jiri Prochazka walked into UFC 320 going through questions on his championship credentials after back-to-back knockout losses to Alex Pereira. When he left T-Cellular Area on October 5, 2025, the previous mild heavyweight champion had his reply written in blood and sweat throughout three rounds of fight with Khalil Rountree Jr.
Jiri Prochazka Says Third-Round Fire Against Khalil Rountree Showed Him He Can Win the Title
The Czech fighter struggled through the opening 10 minutes. Rountree controlled the distance, landed cleaner shots, and appeared to be building an insurmountable lead on the scorecards. Prochazka slipped on the canvas a number of occasions and appeared annoyed when his assaults have been instantly countered. By the top of spherical two, even his most devoted followers puzzled if the unorthodox striker had misplaced his edge.
Then came the third round, and everything changed.
Prochazka abandoned caution and brought the chaos he’s known for directly to Rountree’s face. The former title challenger began to wilt under the pressure as Prochazka landed a variety of strikes, mixing punches, kicks, elbows, and knees with abandon. At 3:04 of the final frame, a devastating left hand sent Rountree crashing face-first to the canvas, securing one of the most dramatic comeback knockouts of the year.
What happened in that third round represented a tactical and mental adjustment. Speaking to Bloody Elbow after the struggle, Prochazka revealed the second marked a elementary breakthrough in his understanding of what he may obtain:
“To begin with, man, I didn’t assume it may very well be… however for everybody who’s pondering an excessive amount of, I assumed it will be very onerous or not possible, how one can undergo to the following degree of combating, of endurance, of the strain I could make within the struggle. On this struggle, I did it. I don’t understand how, however within the third spherical one thing modified inside myself. Since that point, I noticed I can—I actually can—win the title. For certain. For one hundred pc, I can win the title, and I’m going for that. That is proper now my goal.”
Through the struggle, Prochazka had been too affected person, ready for counters that by no means materialized. Rountree’s velocity and approach allowed him to land his pictures and retreat earlier than Prochazka may capitalize. The Czech fighter knew one thing needed to change.
”My coaches informed me like, ‘Man, you must win this spherical. It’s a must to knock him out,’” Prochazka recalled. “After which I began to appreciate how to try this.”
The conclusion got here from pushing via a wall he thought could be insurmountable. Rountree was visibly exhausted by the point Prochazka’s assault started, his eye badly lower and his legs heavy. The mix of physique pictures and relentless strain from Prochazka sapped no matter remained in Rountree’s tank.
Czechia‘s Prochazka’s preparation for the struggle had included among the most uncommon coaching strategies in MMA. He’d spent months working with a respiration coach, working sprints whereas holding his breath to construct CO2 tolerance. He’d swum below ice, going through the potential of dying to sharpen his psychological edge. He’d even accomplished his grasp’s diploma in safety and strategic research earlier within the 12 months.
All of it led to this second, the place the fighter who thrives in chaos wanted to search out the following degree of his talents.
The victory marked Prochazka’s second consecutive third-round knockout, following his earlier win over Jamahal Hill at UFC 311. In each fights, he weathered early adversity earlier than discovering the end when it mattered most. In opposition to Rountree, the ultimate spherical statistics informed the story: Prochazka landed 47 of 71 vital strikes, overwhelming his opponent with a 66 % accuracy charge.
UFC Light Heavyweight Title
Pereira has since called out Jon Jones for a heavyweight superfight, doubtlessly leaving the sunshine heavyweight division with out a clear title image. Prochazka stays targeted on combating for the championship no matter who holds it.
”I want to fight for the title,” Prochazka stated. “It doesn’t matter if it will be Alex Pereira, Ulberg, or Ankalaev. I really can win the title and I’m going for that.”
The breakthrough against Rountree came after Prochazka had questioned whether reaching the next level was even possible. Now, with his confidence restored and a newfound appreciation for defensive fundamentals, the former champion believes he has the answer. The third round against Rountree showed him he can push through the fire and emerge stronger on the other side.
Whether or not the UFC books him in opposition to Pereira for a trilogy, matches him with rising contender Carlos Ulberg, or provides him a shot at whoever holds the title, Prochazka enters 2025 with readability about his path ahead. The journey again to championship glory runs via the teachings realized in that chaotic third spherical at UFC 320, the place he found that the following degree wasn’t not possible in any case.
