Jiri Prochazka doesn’t feel the need to rematch Glover Teixeira.
After he outlasted Teixeira in a Fight of the Year contender at UFC 275, Prochazka (29-3-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) was happy to grant Teixeira a title-fight rematch out of sheer respect – and to put on a better performance. But a severe shoulder injury forced him out of his rematch with Teixeira at UFC 282 and he relinquished his belt.
Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev battled for the vacant title, but a split draw resulted in no titleholder. The promotion opted to book Teixeira against Jamahal Hill at UFC 283 for the vacant belt, but Prochazka isn’t sure if Hill should have been one-half of that title fight.
“I think that’s a good matchup,” Prochazka told CBS Sports. “I don’t know if Hill deserves that opportunity to fight for the title. But for Glover, it’s great because he will fight in Rio, in his home. So that, for him, is very good. I’m looking forward to that fight. I’m looking forward to their performances.”
Teixeira (33-8 MMA, 16-6 UFC) beating Hill (11-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) could amplify a potential rematch with Prochazka even more, but Prochazka isn’t necessarily hoping for that outcome.
“For me, it doesn’t matter who will be the titleholder,” Prochazka said. “I know the title is mine and will be, and I will come for that.
“I just took that (Teixeira rematch) because I felt that Glover deserved that opportunity. It was not from my deepest motivation, but from my ego. I want to show a better performance and I was not satisfied with the first fight. I don’t need to fight Glover again. If he will be the champion, I will fight him. I will fight whoever. (It) doesn’t matter. It’s not about the opponent.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 283.
