Jiri Prochazka
Active 2021–present · rated in 3 editions · peak overall 88.0
Scouting report
Wild angles, flying knees, and a samurai-inspired fighting philosophy propelled Jiri "BJP" Prochazka to capture the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship in a war against Glover Teixeira. Born in Znojmo, Czech Republic, Prochazka's blitz is driven by a 92 Boxing power and a 90 Durability, allowing him to deliver comeback finishes.
Peak ratings
By edition
Former Rizin champion Prochazka made his UFC entrance across 2020 and 2021, knocking out Volkan Oezdemir in round two at UFC 251 on Fight Island and finishing Dominick Reyes with a spinning back-elbow knockout in Las Vegas. His samurai movement, pressure, and knockout power are reflected in a 91 Boxing and 86 Kickboxing.
In June 2022 at UFC 275 in Singapore, Prochazka submitted Glover Teixeira with a fifth-round rear-naked choke to capture the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. After vacating the belt, he lost to Alex Pereira at UFC 295 in November 2023 and again at UFC 303 in June 2024, with a TKO of Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 300 in between. His finishing instincts and heart anchor his 92 Boxing and 87 Kickboxing.
Jiri Prochazka, the samurai-minded Czech who fights with his hands down
Jiri Prochazka was born in Znojmo and comes from the village of Hostěradice. He began with Thai boxing and won the 2011 Czech national title. He won the first Gladiator Fighting Championship light heavyweight belt with a flying knee in 2013, finished as runner-up in the 2015 Rizin grand prix, and later took the first Rizin belt. His style is a wide stance, hands low, head movement and reflex. He follows Bushido and Miyamoto Musashi and calls his approach no-mind.
Prochazka attribute notes
Boxing. His top rating. His hands are quick, unpredictable and heavy.
Kickboxing. Very good. The spinning back elbow that knocked out Dominick Reyes in 2021 was a highlight.
Wrestling. Fair. His record is mostly stoppages on the feet rather than wrestling.
BJJ. Sound enough. He finished Glover Teixeira with a rear-naked choke in round five in 2022.
Strength. Strong for the division, with a run of stoppages over Volkan Oezdemir, Reyes and Hill.
Durability. Excellent recovery. In the Teixeira fight both men were dropped multiple times.
Cardio. Elite. He won the title in round five and later finished Khalil Rountree Jr. in round three.
Fight IQ. His approach is instinct over strategy, and he has said he prefers to fight without plan.
Boxing at 92 sets him apart
That is his single best rating, and it matches how he wins. He knocked out Oezdemir on his debut in 2020, stopped Reyes in 2021, and beat former champion Jamahal Hill by third-round stoppage in January 2025. When exchanges get chaotic, his hands are the advantage.
A tie at the bottom: Wrestling and BJJ at 80
Both sit at 80, which is still solid. His trouble against Alex Pereira was in striking: Pereira knocked him out in round two in 2023 and again in 2024. Grappling is the area where a smart opponent can test him, though few have forced it.
Keep exploring
Closest light heavyweight profiles to Jiri Prochazka, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Jamahal Hillbest boxing 92 · weakest bjj 74
- Aleksandar Rakicbest strength 89 · weakest bjj 78
- Alexander Gustafssonbest boxing 90 · weakest bjj 78
- Dominick Reyesbest boxing 90 · weakest bjj 74
- Light Heavyweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Jiri Prochazka's strongest attribute, Boxing.
Draft Jiri Prochazka into your build
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Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Jiri Prochazka is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Jiri Prochazka's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.