Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka sees Alex Pereira as a welcomed addition to the division.
Former middleweight champion Pereira (7-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) announced his move to 205 pounds after losing his title to Israel Adesanya at UFC 287. “Poatan” insisted he could still make middleweight but sees light heavyweight as better for him.
Prochazka (29-3-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC), who vacated his light heavyweight title last year after suffering a severe shoulder injury that required surgery, is excited by Pereira’s move to his division.
“Nice stand-up style guy, a lot of skills, and I’m looking forward to seeing him in our division, because he is high,” Prochazka told Low Kick MMA. “He’s very good for our division. He has good feeling in his movement, good timing. I’m glad to see guys like him in our division because it’s a new opportunity to show the best from us, because he’s good.”
Prochazka is targeting a late summer return. He is confirmed his next fight will be against reigning light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill, who battered Glover Teixeira to win the vacant belt at UFC 283.
Prochazka expects Pereira to draw a top-ranked 205 pounder in his divisional debut and sees him having success.
“Alex is a good warrior. He has a very nice style,” Prochazka said. “I like this style because he’s very, very simple, useful and precise.”
Jiri Prochazka glad to have ‘good warrior’ Alex Pereira join UFC light heavyweight division