Honestly, trying to pin down Jiri Prochazka is like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands. The guy is a walking enigma. He’s the "Czech Samurai" who spends his days staring at trees and his nights putting people to sleep with unorthodox elbows. If you're looking for the latest on the Jiri Prochazka next fight, you've probably noticed a lot of noise. People are shouting about title shots, middleweight moves, and a supposed date with Carlos Ulberg.
But here’s the reality. It’s complicated.
Right now, Jiri is sitting at #1 in the light heavyweight rankings, tied with Magomed Ankalaev. He’s coming off a massive 2025. He basically deleted Jamahal Hill at UFC 311 in January and then survived a war to KO Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 320 in October. Two fights. Two finishes. Both in the third round. He’s back. But where exactly is he going?
The Carlos Ulberg Rumors: Fact vs. Fiction
You might have seen the "confirmed" reports that Jiri is fighting Carlos Ulberg.
They aren't true. At least, not yet.
Jiri actually hopped on his Instagram recently to tell everyone to chill. He straight up said that the information on the internet about him and Ulberg is not true because the fight isn't confirmed. It is still in negotiations.
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There’s a massive personal reason for the delay, too. Jiri isn't planning on stepping into the Octagon until at least the end of March 2026. Why? Because April is "time for baby." The samurai is becoming a father. That shifts the timeline significantly. If the Ulberg fight happens, we are looking at a late spring or summer date.
Ulberg is a fresh face. He’s on a nine-fight winning streak. He just beat Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz. For the UFC, this is the perfect "new blood vs. established legend" matchup. But Jiri has his eyes on a bigger prize. He wants the belt back.
The "Poatan" Problem and the Heavyweight Shift
The shadow of Alex "Poatan" Pereira looms over everything Jiri does. Prochazka is 0-2 against the Brazilian. That’s a hard pill to swallow for a guy who lives by a code of constant victory.
Pereira just reclaimed his belt at UFC 320 by steamrolling Magomed Ankalaev in their rematch. Now, the division is in a weird spot. Pereira is talking about moving up to heavyweight to fight Jon Jones or Tom Aspinall.
If Pereira moves up:
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- The light heavyweight title becomes vacant.
- Jiri likely fights Ulberg or Ankalaev for the belt.
- The division finally moves on from the "Poatan" era.
If Pereira stays:
- Jiri has to convince the UFC that a third fight makes sense.
- Most fans aren't sold on a trilogy when the first two ended in KOs.
- Jiri might be forced to take another "contender" fight to prove he's evolved.
Jiri has been very vocal. He doesn't care who it is. He believes he is in the position to fight for the belt. Period. He even posted on X (formerly Twitter) on January 4, 2026, saying exactly that. He's not interested in "fun" fights. He wants gold.
Is a Move to 185 Pounds Actually Happening?
This is the curveball that has everyone talking. Jiri Prochazka at middleweight? It sounds insane. The guy is 6'4" and usually walks around at about 215 to 220 pounds.
He told Michael Bisping and others that he is "legitimately considering" the move to 185. But there's a huge caveat. He only goes down if he wins the light heavyweight title first. He wants to bring that belt back to the Czech Republic before he even thinks about a weight cut that would probably be pure hell.
He thinks his power would be "something else" at middleweight. He’s probably right. Imagine Jiri’s weird, lunging knees coming at a smaller guy like Dricus du Plessis or Sean Strickland. It’s a terrifying thought. But for now, that’s a "Phase 2" plan.
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What the Stats Tell Us About the "New" Jiri
If you look at his 2025 run, Jiri hasn't really changed his "BJP" style, but he's getting more durable in the late rounds.
| Stat | Detail |
|---|---|
| Record | 32-5-1 |
| KO Rate | 88% (28 of 32 wins) |
| Recent Streak | 2-0 (Hill, Rountree Jr.) |
| Average Fight Time | Higher in 2025 (Both wins in Round 3) |
He’s still taking hits to give hits. Against Khalil Rountree, he won "Comeback of the Year" honors because he was getting tagged early. He’s a slow starter. He knows it. He’s working on it. He told the Overdogs Podcast that he needs to start "earlier" and have more energetic preparation.
What You Should Watch For Next
If you're tracking the Jiri Prochazka next fight, stop looking at the February or March calendars. He's out. He’s focusing on his family.
The real movement will happen in May or June 2026. By then, we will know if Alex Pereira is officially a heavyweight. If the belt is vacated, expect Jiri vs. Carlos Ulberg for the undisputed or interim title. If Ankalaev gets the nod instead, Jiri might find himself in a title eliminator.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Check UFC 327/328 News: This is the likely window for Jiri’s return.
- Watch Pereira’s Scale: If Alex weighs in for a heavyweight bout, Jiri’s path to the title becomes 10x easier.
- Ignore "Done Deal" Rumors: Unless it comes from Dana White or Jiri’s official "BJP" accounts, the Ulberg fight is still just a conversation in a boardroom.
Jiri is 33. He’s in his physical prime. The shoulder injury that forced him to vacate years ago seems like a distant memory. Whether he’s fighting for a vacant belt or trying to slay his Brazilian demon one last time, the next time he steps into the cage, it’s going to be for the highest stakes possible.
Keep an eye on the official UFC rankings updates. As of mid-January 2026, Jiri remains the man to beat if you want to be called the best 205-pounder on the planet.