Jiri Prochazka (image via UFC/YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Jiri Prochazka believes Alex Pereira still has a lot of work to do before he’s a complete, mixed-martial artist. But, the former light-heavyweight champ is also saying he’s looking forward to testing his stand-up skills against the renowned striker.

Prochazka will face the former middleweight champ at the November 11th, UFC 295 event, which is taking place at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The fight will mark the first time Prochazka has competed since he defeated Glover Teixeira for the light-heavyweight title in July 2022, but was then sidelined due to a serious shoulder injury.

While talking to Shakiel Majouri recently, Prochazka (29-3-1) made it clear he sees some significant holes in the game of Pereira. But, he acknowledged the former GLORY champ is extremely dangerous on the feet (quotes via MMA Fighting).

“It’s for me a beautiful story and big challenge,” Prochazka said. “I have to say, Alex, he’s not a good martial artist like on the ground on the wrestling but one thing he can do and knows what to do is his striking. It will be a pleasure to compete with him in the stand-up.

“He’s good in stand-up but not good in wrestling and all these things. He’s too much focused on striking. He’s very good at that but on the other things, other styles, he’s not good, too. I am not too good of a wrestler to say that but I think I am better than him. Doesn’t matter. That’s my opinion, my stance.”

Pereira (8-2) is coming off a split decision win over former light-heavyweight champ Jan Blachowicz in July, which marked his debut at 205 pounds. Pereira elected to move up a weight class after losing the middleweight title to Israel Adesanya in April via a second-round, knockout defeat.

Jamahal Hill won the light-heavyweight title Prochazka vacated in January by also defeating Glover Teixeira. But, after rupturing his Achilles tendon, Hill also vacated the belt.