MIAMI, FL – As Jiří Procházka prepares to face Carlos Ulberg for the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship at UFC 327 on April 11th, a behind-the-scenes narrative regarding a previously planned bout with Khamzat Chimaev is gaining traction. Promoter Ivica Novotný is standing by his assertion that a Procházka versus Chimaev fight was seriously discussed and nearly finalized, a claim Procházka himself appears to downplay.
The situation stems from the fallout of Alex Pereira vacating the light heavyweight title, creating the opportunity for Procházka and Ulberg to compete for the championship in Miami. Novotný recently indicated that the Ulberg fight wasn’t the initial plan, with a matchup against the formidable Chimaev initially in the works. This revelation has sparked debate within the MMA community, particularly given Procházka’s recent comments suggesting the Chimaev fight was merely speculative.
According to Procházka, as reported by iSport.cz, the complexities surrounding a potential fight with Chimaev were largely tied to the situation with Jon Jones and his subsequent relinquishing of the title. “It all depended primarily on Aspinall,” Procházka explained. “I have information that they were waiting for an eye examination, surgery and a verdict on whether he would be able to fight. It concerned the heavyweight division, which led to the transfer of Pereira and the release of the title. That was actually the whole problem. I think it was almost two months in this state. They kept saying we would grasp next week, which I passed on, but I felt like an idiot. Eventually, I said I would tell them when they would know. I didn’t want to mislead anyone. The only thing that kept us going was faith.”
Procházka also stated he was primarily preparing for Ulberg, despite the rumors surrounding Chimaev. “I roughly knew who I would be fighting. We were training for Ulberg, even though there were all sorts of speculations about Chimaev. Those were just red herrings.”
However, Novotný remains resolute in his account. In a statement to MMA Letem Světem, he boldly declared, “I’ll upset a lot of people, including Jirka, but I don’t care. I simply don’t lie and I say things that I have verified. When I said that Khamzat vs. Jirka was very close and that it was a done deal, I stand by that. The fact that Jirka doesn’t know… I discussed it with Karaivanov and we discussed things that I won’t elaborate on. From my perspective, which I have, nothing changes. It was a done deal from Chimaev’s side. Actually, it’s just another fight in a row, just shifted by Strickland’s win and so on. It all just shifted. Those smiling (reactions)… I understand that, but it’s the same as when many fighters in OKTAGON don’t know they were close to a big fight.”
Novotný’s confidence in his information stems from his established connections within the sport’s management circles. He suggests the deal was far more advanced than publicly acknowledged, perhaps reaching 50% completion before circumstances altered the landscape. The question remains whether Procházka would have accepted the fight had it materialized. According to Novotný, the answer is likely yes, a scenario that could still unfold in the future.
The situation highlights the often-opaque nature of fight negotiations and the complexities involved in securing high-profile matchups. While Procházka is focused on his upcoming bout with Ulberg, the lingering questions surrounding the potential Chimaev fight add another layer of intrigue to his journey back to the top of the light heavyweight division. The Czech fighter, currently ranked #3 in the UFC Light Heavyweight division according to web search results, will be looking to capitalize on his recent string of victories and reclaim the title he was forced to vacate due to injury in 2022.
Ulberg, ranked #5, presents a formidable challenge. The 35-year-old fighter from Auckland, Fresh Zealand, boasts a record of 13-1-0 and will undoubtedly aim to disrupt Procházka’s momentum. Both fighters share a height of 6’3” and weigh in at 206.0 lbs, suggesting a physically imposing clash is anticipated. Tapology community predictions currently favor Procházka, with 84% anticipating a victory, largely leaning towards a KO/TKO finish, though Ulberg’s proven ability shouldn’t be underestimated.
The vacant light heavyweight title bout at UFC 327 represents a pivotal moment for Procházka, a fighter whose career has been marked by both spectacular victories and frustrating setbacks. After a previous run with the Light Heavyweight title ended prematurely, he’s now presented with a clear path back to the top. The event, scheduled for April 11th at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, promises to be a thrilling night of action for MMA fans worldwide.
Beyond the main event, UFC 327 features a compelling undercard, including bouts between Van vs. Taira, Gamrot vs. Ribovics, Blaydes vs. Hokit, Holland vs. Brown, Pitbull vs. Pico, Reyes vs. Walker, Murzakanov vs. Costa, Suarez vs. Godinez, Swanson vs. Landwehr, Gastelum vs. Luque, and Alvidrez vs. Prado.
What’s Next: Jiří Procházka will face Carlos Ulberg for the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship on April 11th at UFC 327 in Miami, Florida. The fight is scheduled to headline the event, with preliminary card action beginning at 6:30 PM ET (10:30 PM UTC). Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage and analysis leading up to and following the event.
What are your thoughts on Novotný’s claims? Do you think a Procházka-Chimaev fight was as close as he suggests? Share your opinions in the comments below!
