Jiri Prochazka is looking to add a star-studded lineup to his training camp for UFC 274.
Prochazka (28-3-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) challenges light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira in the main event on May 7 and plans to get some work in with Henry Cejudo, who’s been coaching the likes of Jon Jones, Zhang Weili and newly crowned flyweight champ Deiveson Figueiredo.
Teixeira (33-7 MMA, 16-5 UFC) scored a dominant submission of Jan Blachowicz to claim the title at UFC 267, and Prochazka wants to ensure that he’s well-prepared for the champion’s elite ground game.
“In February, I am thinking about working towards preparation in America,” Prochazka said in an interview with CBS Sports. “Especially with Henry Cejudo and Jon Jones there. I want to go there and turn my wrestling, especially the wrestling, to the next level. I’m really looking forward to that.”
He continued, “I’m a big fan of Figueiredo. His style is great. It’s an honor to go there and train with these guys.”
Teixeira recently revealed that he sought the help of Muhammad Lawal, who knocked Prochazka out in the 2015 Rizin FF grand prix final. But Prochazka says he’s a completely different fighter from then.
“I fought ‘King Mo’ two times,” Prochazka said. “The second time, when I defeated him in the Rizin title fight, I was another guy than the first time he won. From that Rizin title fight to now, I’m five levels up. He can talk with (Teixeira) and give him special tips for me, but I think I’m another person, like in character. I changed myself completely from that time. It doesn’t matter. If ‘King Mo’ will help him to be a better fighter, I’ll be glad for that because I want to fight the best version of Glover’s style.”
