Jiri Prochazka suffers shoulder injury, out of UFC 282 main event, relinquishes light heavyweight title
Now-former undisputed UFC light heavyweight champion, Jiri Prochazka is likely facing upwards of a year on the sidelines away from active competition – suffering a “significant” shoulder injury ahead of his UFC 282 title rematch with Glover Teixeira later this month.
Set to undergo a surgical procedure in order to address an as yet undisclosed injury to his right shoulder, Prochazka, who last featured in a title-winning performance against Teixeira at UFC 275 in June, has decided to vacate the light heavyweight crown. News of Prochazka’s injury and title relinquishing was first reported by Yahoo! Sports.
As a result of Prochazka’s debilitating injury and subsequent title vacating, the promotion have moved to book a vacat title fight between event co-main event features, former champion, Jan Blachowicz, and surging Russian contender, Magomed Ankalaev – which will now take main event honors at UFC 282.
Releasing a statement confirming his injury, Prochazka confirmed how he did not want to hold up the light heavyweight division during his expected lengthy absense from the Octagon.
“I am very disappointed to announce that I will not be defending my belt at UFC 282,” Jiri Prochazka tweeted. “I was injured in training in Las Vegas while finishing my preparation for my title defense in the UFC’s light heavyweight division.”
“I injured my shoulder and surgery is required which will put me out of action for at least 6 months. Knowing this information, I have decided, after consulting with UFC management, that due to this time constraint, I will not hold light heavyweight dvision and will vacate the title. I will go for the UFC belt as soon as the doctor’s give me green light to fight. I’m going to go for the belt and I’m going to get it no matter who currently holds it.”
“I’ll be back in 6 months and I’ll take the title whoever holds it, I apologize to my fans, friends, family (sic) who bought tickets and made plans to come to Las Vegas to support me. It means a lot to me. I also want to apologize to Glover. Victory!”
Senior writer for FightBook MMA. An aspiring mixed martial arts reporter based in Ireland. Producer of news articles, interviews, opinion features, and exclusive features such as, ‘The Fallout’, ‘The Breakdown, and, ‘This Week In MMA’.
