Five months removed from a devastating loss to UFC 300 headliner Alex Pereira, former light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka returned to the Octagon on Saturday night seeking a big win over division standout Aleksandar Rakic.
The bout, which could prove to be a 205-pound title eliminator, will be the first for Rakic since suffering a leg injury in the third round of his scrap with ex-titleholder Jan Blachowicz in May 2022.
Round 1
Prochazka gets things started with a couple of leg kicks. Rakic fires back with a lead leg attack of his own. Rakic swings big with the right hand, but hits nothing, but wind. Rakic goes back to the lead leg of Prochazka before landing a nice right hand. Rakic throws another leg kick and Prochazka’s lead leg already appears to be compromised. Another low kick from Rakic.
‘Rocket’ lands another leg kick and Prochazka has no choice, but to switch stances. Despite the early attacks, Prochazka is still moving forward. Prochazka throws a body kick but eats a right hand in the process. Prochazka is beginning to bleed near his right eye. Prochazka throws a front kick to the body as Rakic lands with another right hand. Prochazka stings Rakic with a right hand that has the Serbian backpedaling.
Rakic returns fire with another right hand that connects, but Prochazka is dismissive of Rakic’s power and continues to move forward as the round comes to a close.
Round 2
Rakic goes right back to work, attacking the lead leg that forces Prochazka to switch stances. Prochazka fires a high kick and Rakic comes right back with a right. Rakic throws a sneaky jab and lands a right behind it that connects clean on Prochazka’s chin. Prochazka throws another high kick before connecting with a looping right hand that has Rakic retreating. Prochazka again goes to the head kick and appears to have Rakic hurt with a follow-up right.
Rakic fires back as Prochazka closes in. Prochazka connects with a massive right hand that stumbles Rakic. Prochazka swarms, landing a flurry of strikes and a nasty knee against the fence. Rakic fights out of the position but loses his balance and stumbles to the ground. Prochazka pounces and unleashes an assortment of strikes and elbows, forcing the referee to step in and stop the bout.
Official Result: Jiri Prochazka def. Aleksandar Rakic via TKO (strikes) at 3:17 of Round 2.
Check Out Highlights From Jiri Prochazka vs. Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 300:
Nobody does it like Jiří Procházka. 🇨🇿
Watch #UFC300's featured Prelim on SN360 or stream on Sportsnet+! pic.twitter.com/iCNDcCGkqh
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 14, 2024
¡OMFG, JIRI PROCHAZKA! 🇨🇿
QUE PELEA, QUE LOCURA… 😵🔥¿CÓMO REGRESO JIRI? #UFC300
— Rafa Romero (@rafuunka) April 14, 2024
Jiri Prochazka throws defense out the window and blitzes Aleksandar Rakic for the TKO win #UFC300 https://t.co/AvUVWsqtOd
— Shakiel Mahjouri (@Shak_Fu) April 14, 2024
Jiri Prochazka is a real life samurai #UFC300 pic.twitter.com/52dIkGZDPh
— Delinquent MMA (@DelinquentMMA) April 14, 2024
Jiri Prochazka goes berserker mode and finishes Aleksandar Rakic by second-round TKO 🔥 #UFC300 pic.twitter.com/2bTj8AvR8G
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) April 14, 2024
