Jiri Prochazka: record, style and what is next
Jiri Prochazka: who he is and where he stands
Jiri Prochazka is a former UFC light heavyweight champion and, as of 20 October 2026, the number two ranked fighter in the division behind Magomed Ankalaev, with Carlos Ulberg the champion. His record is 32 wins, 6 losses and 1 draw. He was born on 14 October 1992 in Znojmo in the Czech Republic, grew up in the village of Hostěradice and is based in Brno.
His UFC athlete page still lists his last fight as a win, but it was a loss: Ulberg knocked him out in round one of the vacant title fight at UFC 327 in Miami on 11 April 2026. He returns on 21 November against the unbeaten Navajo Stirling in Doha, in the main event covered in our Prochazka vs Stirling preview. He became the first Czech UFC champion when he beat Glover Teixeira in 2022.
How Prochazka fights
Prochazka is a pressure striker who makes fights chaotic and wins them with finishing power. The UFC lists 28 of his 32 wins as KO or TKO, 3 more by submission and 23 first-round finishes. His reach is 80 inches, and he lands 5.61 significant strikes a minute at 56 per cent accuracy, with 0.81 knockdowns per 15 minutes.
The price is defence. His significant strike defence is 45 per cent and he absorbs 5.67 strikes a minute, slightly more than he lands. That is why his fights swing: Khalil Rountree controlled the first two rounds at UFC 320 before Prochazka knocked him out in round three with punches, and Alex Pereira finished him twice. His takedown defence is listed at 68 per cent, and he has a black belt in Kyokushin karate. He also studies the teachings of Miyamoto Musashi.
His best moments come from timing and unorthodox attacks. The spinning back elbow knockout of Dominick Reyes in May 2021 is the standout example, and the five-round rear-naked choke of Teixeira showed a finishing game that goes beyond strikes.
The road to here
Prochazka built his career outside the UFC first. He won the inaugural Gladiator Fighting Championship light heavyweight title in 2013, reached the final of the 2015 Rizin World Grand Prix and became the inaugural Rizin light heavyweight champion in April 2019, defending once, against C.B. Dollaway by first-round knockout on 31 December 2019.
He debuted in the UFC in July 2020 with a second-round knockout of Volkan Oezdemir at UFC 251 in 49 seconds, then beat Reyes. At UFC 275 on 12 June 2022 he submitted Teixeira in round five with a rear-naked choke to win the light heavyweight title. He vacated in November 2022 with a shoulder injury and lost the vacant belt to Pereira by second-round TKO from elbows at UFC 295 on 11 November 2023.
The recent run
His last five fights read three wins and two losses, as of 20 October 2026:
- 11 April 2026, UFC 327, Miami: knockout loss to Ulberg in round one at 3:45 for the vacant title. Reports say Ulberg hurt his right leg early, and Prochazka was caught with a left hook as he pressed forward.
- 4 October 2025, UFC 320, Las Vegas: knockout win over Rountree in round three at 3:04. It earned Fight of the Night, and Prochazka also took Performance of the Night.
- 18 January 2025, UFC 311, Inglewood: TKO win over Jamahal Hill in round three at 3:01.
- 29 June 2024, UFC 303, Las Vegas: TKO loss to Pereira in round two at 0:13, after the card was rebuilt around the rematch.
- 13 April 2024, UFC 300: TKO win over Aleksandar Rakic in round two at 3:17.
The pattern is clear. He beats good light heavyweights who stand and trade with him, and his three most recent losses, two to Pereira and one to Ulberg, all ended inside two rounds.
What happens next: Stirling in Doha
Prochazka faces Stirling in a five-round main event at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena in Doha on Saturday 21 November 2026. Stirling is 11-0, 28, from New Zealand, ranked fifth by the UFC, and last fought in August at UFC Belgrade, where he stopped Jan Blachowicz in round one.
A win would put Prochazka straight back among the title contenders after the Ulberg loss. A defeat to an unbeaten fighter ranked below him would be a second knockout loss in a row.
FAQs
What is Jiri Prochazka's record?
Jiri Prochazka is 32-6-1 as of 20 October 2026. The UFC lists 28 of his wins as KO or TKO and 3 by submission, with 23 first-round finishes. His most recent fight was a first-round knockout loss to Carlos Ulberg at UFC 327 on 11 April 2026.
Who is Jiri Prochazka fighting next?
Prochazka fights the unbeaten Navajo Stirling in a five-round main event on Saturday 21 November 2026 at the Ali Bin Hamad Al Attiyah Arena in Doha, Qatar. Stirling is 11-0 and stopped Jan Blachowicz in round one at UFC Belgrade in August.
Who beat Jiri Prochazka at UFC 327?
Carlos Ulberg knocked out Prochazka in round one at 3:45 at UFC 327 in Miami on 11 April 2026, winning the vacant UFC light heavyweight title. Ulberg caught Prochazka with a left hook as he pressed forward, then finished with punches.
Is Jiri Prochazka a former UFC champion?
Yes. He won the UFC light heavyweight title by submitting Glover Teixeira in round five at UFC 275 in June 2022, becoming the first Czech UFC champion. He vacated it in November 2022 with a shoulder injury and lost the vacant belt to Alex Pereira at UFC 295.
Where is Jiri Prochazka from and how old is he?
Prochazka was born on 14 October 1992 in Znojmo in the Czech Republic and grew up in the village of Hostěradice. He is based in Brno and trains at Jetsaam Gym Brno. His reach is 80 inches, and he turned 34 on 14 October 2026.