UFC light-heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka has vacated his title after suffering a serious shoulder injury in training.
The Czech champion was due to defend his belt in a rematch with former champion Glover Teixeira at UFC 282 on December 10 but opted to give up his belt upon learning he faces up to a year on the sidelines. Teixeira rejected the chance to fight a leading contender for the vacant strap, meaning Jan Blachowicz's clash with Magomed Ankalaev will now be for the 205lb belt.
UFC president Dana White confirmed the seriousness of Prochazka when he told Yahoo Sports : "This is the worst shoulder injury the doctors have seen in UFC history. It's really f***ing bad. His shoulder is very, very bad. He's going to have serious surgery that will require extensive rehab."
