Jiri Prochazka Speaks...

Jiri Prochazka recently vacated the UFC Light Heavyweight championship due to a shoulder injury. However, we didn't really know what exactly the injury was, or how it really happened. All we knew was that according to Dana White "It's the worst shoulder injury we've ever seen." Now that Ariel Helwani had the former champ on his show, the MMA Hour, we know a little bit more about the injury and when he may return inside the octagon.

Jiri told Ariel that he was having shoulder problems before officially injuring the shoulder. Jiri proceeded to say that the injury happened during a sparring session while also taking full responsibility for the injury. Prochazka's sparring partner apparently suplexed Jiri directly onto the bad shoulder popping it out of place. Jiri had a member of his team try to pop it back in. It didn't work. Jiri then asked a member of Magomed Ankalaev's team to pop it back in. Both attempts just worsened the damage to his shoulder. Jiri then went to the hospital and the fight got canceled. Jiri said he would have preferred to remain champion, but understands the division needs to keep moving and agreed with the UFC that vacating the belt would be best for the division. Prochazka also thinks he'll be ready in six months, while his people or his doctors (he was somewhat unclear on who) said it'll be more like eight to nine months. Jiri also said if not for the Dillishaw incident at UFC 280, when Tj fought with one shoulder, he might have defended his belt at UFC 282.

As for the actual main event and decision of UFC 282, Jiri had some thoughts of his own. Jiri said that Magomed Ankalaev showed great heart basically fighting on no legs. As for Jan Blachowicz, he felt he missed his opportunity to put Ankalaev away. Jiri does not care that the fight outcome was a draw, and when asked if he felt that was the universe's way of saying he should still be champion he laughed as if he wanted to say yes, but proceeded to say it does not matter and when he returns to full power he will take the belt back. It should be interesting to see when Jiri returns who he is fighting. Currently, Glover Teixeira and Jamahal Hill are scheduled to fight for the belt at UFC 283 in Brazil. Prochazka did say the UFC told him his first fight back will be for the belt. Will it be Prochazka vs Teixeira 2? Or is the new era of the Light Heavyweight Division going to begin with either a Prochazka vs Hill or Prochazka vs Ankalaev matchup? Whatever we end up getting, I am definitely looking forward to the return of Jiri Prochazka.