Jiri Prochazka has acknowledged his willingness to launch a middleweight campaign if Alex Pereira vacates the light heavyweight title for a potential heavyweight superfight against Jon Jones, creating uncertainty over the immediate future of the division. The former light heavyweight champion made the statement during an appearance at Oktagon 79 in Brno, Czech Republic, in conversation with Patrick McCorry on his career trajectory following recent developments at the top of the light heavyweight ranks.
Jiri Prochazka On a possible move to middleweight
“Cutting down to 205 lbs is not a problem. I think cutting down to 185 lbs would really be something. I believe I can make it with my body, because I know my body well, so I can make it. But it depends, I want to bring the title to the Czech Republic first, the light heavyweight title.”
Czech athlete Prochazka’s comments come as Pereira has indicated a strong desire to move up two weight classes to compete at heavyweight. The Brazilian regained his light heavyweight title at UFC 320 on October 4, knocking out Magomed Ankalaev with a first-round knockout in just 80 seconds.
Despite retaining the title, Pereira quickly expressed interest in pursuing a heavyweight showdown, specifically a potential match with Jon Jones at a UFC event tentatively scheduled for the White House on June 14, 2026. UFC president Dana White has expressed hesitation about the move.
For Prochazka, the scenario presents a crossroads. The 32-year-old Czech fighter is currently ranked number one in the light heavyweight division following his dramatic third-round knockout victory over Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 320, the same event where Pereira regained the title. His willingness to move down to middleweight represents a notable development, as Prochazka has competed exclusively at light heavyweight during his UFC stint. He is the division’s top contender, but has already lost twice to ‘Poatan.’
The light heavyweight landscape has experienced significant volatility over the past eighteen months. Pereira won the title in November 2023 and defended it three times before losing the title to Ankalaev at UFC 313 in March 2025. Prochazka fell in both of Pereira’s previous encounters, once in 2023 and again in their 2024 rematch at UFC 303.
The division currently features rising contender Carlos Ulberg, who has put together a nine-fight winning streak and positioned himself as a leading title contender should Pereira depart. Ulberg has indicated he would rather face Pereira than compete for a vacant title, although he is confident he is ready for championship-level competition.
If Prochazka were to move to middleweight, he would join a division currently controlled by Khamzat Chimaev, who captured the title at UFC 319 in August 2025 with a dominant unanimous decision over Dricus du Plessis. The middleweight ranks include established names like Nassourdine Imavov, Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya, providing a competitive environment for a veteran light heavyweight trying to navigate a new weight class.
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