UFC 300 odds: Jiri Prochazka a slight underdog vs. the returning Aleksandar Rakic

Despite the long layoff, Aleksandar Rakic is a favorite over Jiri Prochazka.

Despite the long layoff, [autotag]Aleksandar Rakic[/autotag] is a favorite over [autotag]Jiri Prochazka[/autotag].

Former light heavyweight champion Prochazka (29-4-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) meets Rakic (14-3 MMA, 6-2 UFC) in the featured prelim of UFC 300 on the April 13  from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

According to BetMGM, Prochazka is a +115 underdog, meaning a $100 bet on the former champ would win $115 profit. Rakic is a -140 favorite, meaning a $140 bet on the top contender would return $100 profit.

Rakic hasn’t competed since injuring his knee in a TKO loss to Jan Blachowicz in May 2022. Prior to that, the 32-year-old scored back-to-back wins over former title challengers Anthony Smith and Thiago Santos.

Prochazka will look to rebound from his knockout loss to Alex Pereira in their vacant title fight this past November at UFC 295. The setback snapped Prochazka’s 13-fight winning streak and marked his first loss since 2015.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.

Jiri Prochazka unbothered by Bo Nickal’s UFC 300 main card spot over him

Jiri Prochazka isn’t concerned with being bumped down to the prelims of UFC 300.

[autotag]Jiri Prochazka[/autotag] isn’t concerned with being bumped down to the prelims at UFC 300.

Former light heavyweight champion Prochazka (29-4-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) meets Aleksandar Rakic (14-3 MMA, 6-2 UFC) in the April 13 featured prelim from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Rising star [autotag]Bo Nickal[/autotag] opens up the main card, which caused plenty of outrage – but not for Prochazka.

“I was not surprised. I really don’t care about that,” Prochazka told Inside Fighting. “I just accept that. That’s my attitude. I accept that, and next time, from now till the next time, I will show that my fight will be on the main card or in the main event. That’s why I’m fighting. I want to show every time the beauties of the martial arts.”

Prochazka is on the road to reclaim his light heavyweight title. He opted to relinquish it after injuring his shoulder, and battled Alex Pereira for the vacant title in his return this past November at UFC 295. He was knocked out in Round 2.

In the main event of UFC 300, light heavyweight champion Pereira makes his first title defense against Jamahal Hill. With a win over top contender Rakic, Prochazka expects another opportunity at the belt.

“I believe in that, and I will do everything for that,” Prochazka said. “Because after last fight, after that decision, I believe I can be the champion, and I will.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.

Jiri Prochazka hopes ‘to realize the mastery’ vs. Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 300

Jiri Prochazka plans on showing his evolution against Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 300.

Former UFC light heavyweight champion [autotag]Jiri Prochazka[/autotag] plans on showing his evolution against [autotag]Aleksandar Rakic[/autotag].

Prochazka (29-4-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) takes on Rakic (14-3 MMA, 6-2 UFC) at UFC 300 on April 13 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Prochazka will look to rebound from his stoppage loss to Alex Pereira in their title fight at UFC 295, where he returned from a more than year-long layoff due to injury. He didn’t care who the UFC matched him up with next.

“I don’t care about what the right fight is for me,” Prochazka told Low Kick MMA. “I wanted to be back as soon as possible, and Aleksandar was the first one who was free from the top five guys at light heavyweight. So I called him about the fight.”

Rakic has long been calling to fight Prochazka and will finally get his wish. Prochazka thinks Rakic is stronger on the ground than on the feet but is willing to fight him wherever.

“He’s 50-50,” Prochazka said. “He’s a good wrestler. He’s a really strong guy, I think. His standup is not the best, but like I said, he’s a 50-50. Good striker, good wrestler, and I’m ready for both.”

The loss to Pereira snapped Prochazka’s 13-fight winning streak. He’s eager to show his full potential against Rakic.

“I want to realize the mastery,” Prochazka said. “Not just in the training, not just in the daily life. Repeat, repeat, repeat. Be better, be better. But in the cage. To show it in the cage, that’s what I want to show.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.

Matchup Roundup: New UFC fights announced in the past week (Dec. 18-24)

All the UFC fight announcements that were first reported or confirmed by MMA Junkie in the past week.

MMA fight announcements are hard to follow. With so many outlets and channels available, it’s nearly impossible to organize.

But here at MMA Junkie, we’ve got your back.

Each week, we’ll compile all the newly surfaced fights in one spot. Every Monday, expect a feature listing everything you might have missed from the UFC.

Here are the fight announcements that were broken or confirmed by MMA Junkie or officially announced by the promotions from Dec. 18-24.

Dana White announces first UFC 300 bookings with Prochazka-Rakic, Sterling-Kattar, Bo Nickal

The historic UFC 300 lineup has its first trio of fights as UFC CEO Dana White rolled out some matchups on Thursday.

The historic UFC 300 lineup has its first trio of fights as UFC CEO Dana White rolled out some matchups on Thursday.

After teasing a loaded lineup for the monumental April 13 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the opening slate of matchups features two former champions and one of the top undefeated prospects in the sport.

White took to social media and revealed former light heavyweight champ [autotag]Jiri Prochazka[/autotag] (29-4-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) will take on [autotag]Aleksandar Rakic[/autotag] (14-3 MMA, 6-2 UFC), former bantamweight champion [autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag] (23-4 MMA, 15-4 UFC) makes his featherweight debut vs. [autotag]Calvin Kattar[/autotag] (23-7 MMA, 7-5 UFC), and rising middleweight star [autotag]Bo Nickal[/autotag] (5-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) clashes with [autotag]Cody Brundage[/autotag] (10-5 MMA, 4-4 UFC).

Prochazka, No. 3 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie light heavyweight rankings, will attempt to rebound from his vacant title fight loss to Alex Pereira at UFC 295 in November, where he was stopped by second-round TKO. He’ll be charged with welcoming back No. 8-ranked Rakic, who hasn’t competed since he blew out his knee in an injury TKO loss to Jan Blachowicz at UFC on ESPN 36 in May 2022.

Kattar, No. 11 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie featherweight rankings, will also try to rebound from a knee injury TKO loss against Arnold Allen in October 2022 when he welcomes No. 3-ranked bantamweight Sterling to a new division after he dropped the belt to Sean O’Malley by second-round TKO at UFC 292 in August.

Lastly, Nickal will try to add to his hype at 185-pounds following a 38-second knockout of Val Woodburn at UFC 290 in July when he meets Brundage, who is coming off a historic slam knockout at UFC on ESPN 52 this month.

The latest UFC 300 lineup now includes:

  • Jiri Prochazka vs. Aleksandar Rakic
  • Calvin Kattar vs. Aljamain Sterling
  • Cody Brundage vs. Bo Nickal

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 300.

Jan Blachowicz announces surgery, issues emotional statement on UFC 297 withdrawal

Jan Blachowicz expressed “anger and sadness” in a statement where he explained why he had to pull out of UFC 297.

Rather than fight at UFC 297, [autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag] has decided it would be best for him to go under the knife.

After opponent [autotag]Aleksandar Rakic[/autotag] revealed Thursday that their scheduled Jan. 20 fight was canceled, Blachowicz issued a statement on social media. He expressed “anger and sadness” toward the situation. The reason for withdrawing, Blachowicz said, is a shoulder injury he tried to push through but couldn’t.

“It wasn’t supposed to be this way,” Blachowicz said in an Instagram post. “It’s hard to express how I feel because it’s a mixture of anger and sadness. Withdrawing from a fight due to injury is one of the most difficult decisions a fighter can make. However, sometimes there is no other option, especially when you are competing in the TOP 5 and want to put on a show at the highest possible level.

“Instead of fighting for the best shape, I fight with the pain during every training session. I did everything I could, but my shoulders need surgery. In this state, continuing preparations and entering the Octagon would be irresponsible and stupid.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/C0jttx-Nora

Blachowicz did not reveal a specific timetable for his return.

It’s unclear if Rakic will remain on the card against a new opponent. However, former champion [autotag]Jiri Prochazka[/autotag] offered his services on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday in response to Rakic calling him out – but there is a timeline stipulation.

“I am in, but the earliest time I can be in octagon is February/March,” Prochazka wrote.

Prochazka most recently competed in November when he lost a vacant title fight vs. Alex Pereira by TKO at UFC 295.

The fight between Blachowicz and Rakic was supposed to be a rematch. The two fought in May 2022. That bout ended in third-round TKO due to injury when Rakic blew his knee out.

Blachowicz, 40, is 0-1-1 since that meeting. Rakic has yet to compete since.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 297.

Aleksandar Rakic says Jan Blachowicz out of UFC 297, calls for Jiri Prochazka to step in (Updated)

Nothing is confirmed, but according to Aleksandar Rakic, his UFC 297 fight with Jan Blachowicz is no longer happening.

(Editor note: Story was updated at 12:05 p.m. ET on Dec. 7 with Blachowicz’s confirmation of his UFC 297 withdrawal and statement on the situation)

According to [autotag]Aleksandar Rakic[/autotag], [autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag] is out of their fight at UFC 297.

Rakic (14-3 MMA, 6-2 UFC) is scheduled to run things back with former light heavyweight champion Blachowicz (29-10-1 MMA, 12-7-1 UFC) on Jan. 20 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, but Rakic claimed on Thursday in an X post that Blachowicz has withdrawn.

You can never lose a rematch when you pull out for the second time. Legendary Bullsh*t. Let’s see if the Samurai has the balls to step up on Jan 20th. @Mickmaynard2 @danawhite.”

“The Samurai” is in reference to former champion [autotag]Jiri Prochazka[/autotag] (29-4-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC), whom Rakic has been eager to fight and traded barbs with in the past. Prochazka is coming off a knockout loss to Alex Pereira in their vacant title fight at UFC 295 in November.

Rakic hasn’t competed since blowing out his knee in a TKO loss to Blachowicz in May 2022. Prior to that, he scored back-to-back wins over Anthony Smith and Thiago Santos.

UPDATE: Blachowicz subsequently confirmed his injury withdrawal from the event in a statement on social media (via Instagram):

https://www.instagram.com/p/C0jttx-Nora

It wasn’t supposed to be this way. It’s hard to express how I feel because it’s a mixture of anger and sadness. Withdrawing from a fight due to injury is one of the most difficult decisions a fighter can make. However, sometimes there is no other option, especially when you are competing in the TOP 5 and want to put on a show at the highest possible level. Instead of fighting for the best shape, I fight with the pain during every training session. I did everything I could, but my shoulders need surgery. In this state, continuing preparations and entering the Octagon would be irresponsible and stupid.

I always say that when I go into a fight, I must be 100% ready. I owe it to myself, my coaches, my opponent and, above all, the fans.

Thank you in advance for your support! I am waiting for the date of surgery, after which rehabilitation and return to training will follow.

I promise I will come back stronger!

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 297.

UFC 295 medical suspensions: Jiri Prochazka, Sergei Pavlovich among 19 suspended indefinitely

Nineteen indefinite suspensions were handed out after UFC 295, per the New York State Athletic Commission.

UFC 295 took place Nov. 11 at Madison Square Garden in New York and featured 13 fights.

On Monday, MMA Junkie acquired a list of athlete medical suspensions from the New York State Athletic Commission, the sanctioning body that oversaw the event. Most injury specifics were not disclosed.

Nineteen of the 26 combatants were given indefinite suspensions and will need to be cleared by a doctor before they return. That’s a high number of indefinite suspensions compared to the average UFC event, although the NYSAC may have different safety protocols compared to other regulatory bodies. All 26 fighters were also given mandatory suspensions, which vary from seven days to 90 days.

Check out the full list of medical suspensions from UFC 295 below.

Jamahal Hill reacts to Alex Pereira’s win over Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295: ‘Neither one of these dudes are on my level’

Jamahal Hill was not impressed with Alex Pereira’s title win over Jiri Prochazka.

[autotag]Jamahal Hill[/autotag] was not impressed with [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag]’s title win over [autotag]Jiri Prochazka[/autotag].

Pereira (9-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) captured the vacant light heavyweight title with a second-round knockout of Prochazka in this past Saturday’s UFC 295 headliner at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Hill thought referee Marc Goddard stopped the fight a little too early, but draws confidence after watching Pereira and Prochazka (29-4-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) fight.

“I thought it ended a little early,” Hill told ESPN during the UFC 295 post-fight show. “But all in all, I was just thinking, like, neither one of these dudes are on my level. Neither one of them – I don’t think they are (as good as me) in any facet of the game, and I can’t wait to get back in full health and be able to show that.”

UFC CEO Dana White said former champion Hill (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) will face Pereira next upon his return from injury – a ruptured achilles tendon which forced him to vacate his 205-pound title. Hill praised Pereira for his game plan against Prochazka.

“I think he did well,” Hill said of Pereira. “I think he came out and he chopped the leg, he got busy on it early. He stayed patient. He showed that you can’t just come out and grab him and take him down and just have that be an easy road to victory.

“He showed a lot of things. He showed he can do what he did at middleweight, at light heavyweight, essentially, so it’s exciting. He made me really excited to get back.”

Hill didn’t think Prochazka showed any ring rust returning from a 16-month layoff. He would have liked Goddard to give Prochazka more of a chance to fight when he was dropped, even though Prochazka agreed with the stoppage.

“(Prochazka) still had his arms clinched around his waist and things like that,” Hill said. “You’ve got to let a champion go out. Jiri is a champion and I feel he did deserve that respect of letting him try to fight through some adversity, and I don’t think he was given that chance fully. But it’s the game.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 295.

5 biggest takeaways from UFC 295: Should Tom Aspinall’s win scrap plans for Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic?

Analysis of the biggest storylines coming out of UFC 295, from Alex Pereira’s historic run to Tom Aspinall’s bid for getting Jon Jones next.

What mattered most at UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden in New York? Here are a few post-fight musings …

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