Newly crowned UFC light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka is eyeing an immediate rematch against the man he took the belt from in June, Glover Teixeira.
The two battled at UFC 275 in what turned out to be an all-time 205-pound championship bout. After five hard-fought rounds, Prochazka captured an exhausted Teixeira in a rear-naked choke, forcing the tap.
Two names are in the conversation for Prochazka’s first title defense: ex-UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz and Teixeira. And Prochazka revealed via social media that he wants the latter.
As per the judges’ scorecards, Teixeira appeared on his way to defeating Prochazka by points before Denisa cinched in the choke. Prochazka admitted that he had a “bad” performance in Singapore and wants to rematch Teixeira to show fans why he’s “the champion.”
“I want to fight Glover my next fight,” Prochazka said in a video posted to Instagram (h/t MMA Junkie). “Not because it will be another big fight, but just one reason: My performance was bad the first fight, and I will show you why I’m the champion clearly, decisively. And I think Glover deserves it. So here’s the offer: I will show you why I am the champion.”
After securing the title, Prochazka’s professional mixed martial arts record improved to 29-3-1.
Teixeira Is ‘Very Motivated’ to Fight Again, Wants Rematch as Well
In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Teixeira, 42, said he feels “very motivated” to get back to action, and he has his eyes fully set on fighting Prochazka again and reclaiming his throne.
“Very motivated,” Teixeira said. “I want to get back there right away. I want a rematch right away. It’s one of those things like, ‘Man, I can do it. I could do it. How did I let it slip away? So I guess maybe that’s what it is. I’m motivated to get back there and win the belt.”
“I think the fight, the way it was, everybody wants to watch that fight,” he continued. “As a champion, I was winning the fight and I let it slip away like that, and another thing is how great the fight was. That fight deserved a rematch. If that rematch happens, I don’t think anybody is gonna talk s*** about the rematch except a couple of guys who are there that want the title fight.”
With the loss, Teixeira’s six-fight win streak was snapped and his record fell to 33-8.
Teixeira Wants to Fight in January in Brazil, But WIlling to Fight Anywhere
In a perfect world, Teixeira said he’d fight Prochazka in his native Brazilian. But, that doesn’t mean he won’t accept a fight against Denisa somewhere else, including Prochazka’s backyard.
“January in Brazil if that fight could be there for the Brazilian fans,” Teixeira said. “To be honest, I’m not the champion right now, and I wanted to fight in Brazil when I was there, but it’s up to the UFC and Jiri now.
“I would have gone to the Czech Republic when I was champion. I would never say no to any place.”
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UFC 205-Pound King Jiri Prochazka Reveals Who He Wants to Fight Next