Jiri Prochazka is planning to move down to middleweight after his first title defence against Drix du Plessis.
Prochaska claims he was considering the move ahead of du Plessis’ bout against former champion Israel Adesanya in the main event of UFC 305 on August 17 in Perth, Australia. According to “BJP,” Adesanya shares management with the Nigerian-born New Zealander and would have remained at light heavyweight had he dethroned du Plessis. However, “Stillnox” successfully defended his title with a fourth-round submission win in a spectacular title fight, hastening Prochaska’s plans to move to 185 pounds.
However, Prochazka is quick to point out that he’s not moving because he’s at a disadvantage in size or power at light heavyweight — the Czech has no problem remaining a top contender at 205 pounds, but simply wants to try his hand at a different weight class.
“If Adesanya wins I’ll stay at light heavyweight, but if du Plessis wins I’ll follow him,” Prochaska said. He spoke about it on his YouTube channel.“I’ll clean it up a bit there and try to take the belt, but I feel good and strong at light heavyweight. Everyone else is a little bit heavier. Pretty much everyone. So physically, strength-wise, I have no problem beating them. But it’ll certainly be a challenge for me to take the belt at light heavyweight. [middleweight] “It’s a division. And we’ll move up, but we’ll just go with the flow and see how it unfolds.”
Prochazka lost his title for the second time this year when he was knocked out by Alex Pereira at UFC 303 in June.
