Jiri Prochazka is putting on a brave face and looking to stay positive after a serious shoulder injury forced him to not only cancel his title rematch with Glover Teixeira at UFC 282 in December, but also to vacate the 205lb title.
“Grateful,” Prochazka wrote in a lengthy post about his situation on Twitter. “There are no obstacles, just an opportunity to see the same path from a different angle and be Stronger and more human. Once you accept the path of the Warrior or simply be absolutely honest to yourself, then you know deep inside what is false and what is true, where your Path is. Title? I became the UFC Champion 5 months ago and the current situation does not change my inner feeling of being a Champion, that is the Feeling and the Reason why I started MMA. To Be the Champion of the Best and to be the best of the best.
“This is my Infinite Motivation and Spirit-Consciousness and Will to ACT. I can’t move it even if I force it, It’s like Gravity, a law of physics. So if someone wins the LHW UFC title and proves they are the best NOW while I rest, I will be honored to see that performance and then get ready to show who is the Rightful Champion of this division and MUCH more 1P4P. I Thank my fans for their support and trust. This is the Beginning, of something Greater. I love you.
Though the 30-year-old Prochazka is remaining admirably positive there’s no doubt that he has a long road to recovery ahead of him, with Dana White having claimed that the damage he suffered in training is “The worst shoulder injury the doctor’s have seen in UFC history.”
As such, while there was some talk that he could be ready to compete again after surgery in six months time, a more likely scenario is that he could be out for a full year, which is why it made sense for him to give up the belt.
With Prochazka out, UFC 282’s originally scheduled co-main event between former champ Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev now takes the main event spot on the final PPV card of the year as they fight for the vacant light-heavyweight title.
