Former light heavyweight champ Jiri Prochazka was having none of it, but Aleksandar Rakic had billed the pair’s UFC 300 featured preliminary card fight a battle for the title of “King of Europe.”
With Prochazka hailing from the Czech Republic and Rakic from nearby Austria, the pair were certainly two of the most talented fighters from the region. But what Saturday’s 205lb contest really signified was the return of a contender to the light heavyweight mix: Prochazka from his loss to Alex Pereira, and Rakic from both in-cage setbacks and injury.
Early on, Rakic made his game plan clear. Much like Pereira had before him, Rakic tore of Prochazka’s leg, to the point that it appeared compromised inside of the round. Thanks to hampering the mobility of the former champ, Rakic was able to beat him to the punch, quite literally, on the feet as well. Prochazka didn’t really get going until late in the round, eating a right hand then tagging Rakic himself, and following it up with a flying knee that fell short.
Jiri Prochazka fired a head kick, which was subsequently blocked, early in round two. Rakic answered with his go-to weapon, his right hand. The Austrian landed another moments later, grazing with an elbow as well. Prochazka went on the attack about 90 seconds in, drawing Rakic into a firefight and throwing another, blocked, head kick. The onslaught would continue, and Rakic was soon turtling up. Prochazka continued to pour it on, chasing him across the cage, lefts and rights hitting home, followed by a knee. At one point, Prochazka essentially pushed Rakic to the mat, and got on top, landing a considerable downpour of ground n’ pound until ref Herb Dean saw fit to stop the fight.
THIS FIGHT IS INSANE!!!! #UFC300 pic.twitter.com/M4ekB4JLTP
— UFC (@ufc) April 14, 2024
After the win, Prochazka addressed the talk of him not being a Samurai, that had been directed at him by Rakic. The Czech said that while he wasn’t a Samurai, he lived by their ideals, and wanted the winner of the UFC 300 main event next.
Official Result: Jiri Prochazka def. Aleksandar Rakic by TKO, Round 2, 3:17
