“Will they give this guy such a chance?” Procházka’s rise in the UFC provokes opponents

At the end of February, Procházka will challenge Dominick Reyes, the famous Californian from the hitherto unknown place, two of the semi-heavyweight ladder and a man who has fought for the title belt twice.

“I want the shortest possible way to the title match,” said “Denisa” in an extensive interview for Aktuálně.cz in August.

At the same time, he wanted to open the gates of the cage of the world’s most prestigious mixed martial arts organization for the second time this year. This failed after a series of unfortunate coincidences during the difficult search for another opponent, but Procházka does not have to regret it now. On the contrary, it paid off.

If he could beat Reyes in the February hit “Destroyer”, he would get closer to the coveted title fight, which he could play with just two UFC matches on his account.

It is a sensational catapult among the biggest stars and it is quite logical that such an extremely fast way up is not to everyone’s taste.

Procházek cannot be named, especially in the team of the ambitious Austrian Aleksandar Rakic. For a long time, he longed either for the title match, or at least for a duel with Reyes, which would bring him closer to the title.

At the same time, Rakic ​​is fourth in the ranking, one place ahead of Procházka.

“How is such a thing even possible? They won’t let Aleksandar fight Reyes and instead give this guy a newcomer to the UFC? Remind me how much Procházka has in UFC matches? Good job, Mr. Matchmaker,” Rakic’s coach Babak was angry. Nejad.

The Austrian’s recent contempt returned a bit, when he abruptly refused the opportunity to fight against Procházek. The media quoted his statement about “a Czech boy who is not interested in him”.

“I’m not looking back. My attention is focused on the title,” said Rakic.

Bijec from Hostěradice has a great advantage. Theoretically, Rakic ​​should take precedence, but in Procházek’s potential and his original concept of combat, the powerful head of the UFC, Dana White, saw himself. And he seems to have big plans for the 28-year-old Czech.

Even before the July premiere, he talked a lot about him and thus increased his prestige, which he rarely does with a newcomer.

The idea for a duel between Procházka and Reyes originated directly in the UFC organization, and a huge challenge awaits the Czech fighter. The team is excited and begins a long and demanding preparation for an important duel.

The 30-year-old American lost two title battles this year. First controversial on points with star Jon Jones, in September with the current champion Pole Jan Blachowicz. Previously, Reyes had a series of twelve wins in a row.