Jiri Prochazka (image via UFC/YouTube)

By FCF Staff

After vacating the UFC’s light-heavyweight title last year, it looks like Jiri Prochazka won’t have to earn another crack at the belt.

Prochazka won the title last June by submitting Glover Teixeira in the fifth round, in what was one of the year’s best title fights. The two were expected to fight again in December. But, due to a sever shoulder injury he incurred in November, Prochazka vacated the title.

More recently, at UFC 283, Jamahal Hill laid claim to the belt by defeating Teixeira via decision. While it remains to be seen if Hill will fight again in the short term, recently, UFC President Dana White confirmed Prochazka will return to a title shot (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“I’m not pushing him (Prochazka) to return,” White said after UFC Vegas 68. “I want him to take as much time as he needs, and I don’t want him to push that shoulder. I don’t want him to feel like there’s a timeline where we need him back. The timeline is as soon as he’s 100 percent healthy. I do not want him to rush or push it.”

“Yeah, I mean, if he’s ready, but I don’t want him to feel like he needs to be ready to get that fight,” White added. “Whoever has the title when he’s 100 percent healthy, that fight’s waiting for him.”

The 30-year-old Prochazka (29-3-1) has gone 3-0 to date since joining the UFC. The former RIZIN champ has won 13 straight fights.