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Very bad news has hit the UFC, their light heavyweight division, Jiri Prochazka, and the UFC 282 event. Jiri Prochazka was supposed to defend the UFC light heavyweight title for the first time on December 10 (12th month), and a rematch with Glover Teixeira was waiting for him.
Unfortunately, a little less than three weeks before the event, Prochazka had to cancel the performance due to a serious shoulder injury. The Czech was injured in the final phase of his training camp for the match against Glover, and in addition to not performing, Prochazka also decided to leave the throne of the light heavyweight division.
He made such a decision because the recovery will last at least six months and Jiri did not want to slow down the category. “UFC light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka has suffered a shoulder injury that will require a significant rehabilitation period,” the UFC said in a statement.
“Out of respect to the athletes and the division, Prochazka has elected to vacate his title and will compete for the belt as soon as he is medically cleared”.
The official statement of Jiri Prochazka.
"I am very disappointed to announce that I will not be defending my belt at @ufc 282.
I was injured in training in Las Vegas while finishing my preparation for my title defense in the UFC's lightheavyweight division. I injured my shoulder and surgery is required which will put me out of action for at least 6 months.
Knowing this information, I have decided, after consulting with UFC management, that due to this time constraint, I will not hold lightheavyweight division and will vacate the title. I will go for the UFC belt as soon as the doctors give me the green light to fight.
I'm going to go for the belt and I'm going to get it no matter who currently holds it. It's always been the most important thing for me to put on the best performance and compare myself to the best. Let the best show no matter who's there now.
I'll be back in six months and I'll take the title whoever holds it. I apologize to my fans, friends, family who bought tickets and made plans to come to Las Vegas to support me, it means a lot to me. I also want to apologize to Glover.
Victory!''
The UFC reacted quickly when it came to the main event of the UFC 282 event.
Magomed Ankalaev and Jan Blachowicz were scheduled to co-headline the night, but have now been promoted to the main event of the night. However, that's not all. Ankalaev and Blachowicz will also fight for the title of light heavyweight champion.
But what about Glover Teixeira in this whole story? According to Yahoo Sports and some other relevant MMA sources, Glover has turned down a replacement opponent and is out of the title fight, at least for the time being.
It is highly likely that Glover will fight the winner of the Blachowicz-Ankalaev matchup next year. In his statement, Prochazka also stated that the belt plans to attack as soon as it is back in operation. Jiri is optimistic about his return and believes that he will be back in six months.
Still, the recovery could take significantly longer, and Dana White for Yahoo Sports provided some information that doesn't sound good for Prochazka. With UFC 282 being the event, the program is now significantly weaker, with Paddy Pimblett and Jared Gordon likely to fight in the co-headlining fight of the night.
It's a big deal for Paddy, who will be looking for a fourth win in his fourth UFC appearance. The 43-year-old Glover lost quite a bit with this outcome. The Brazilian is at a very late age for a fighter anyway, and by the next match he will be even older and who knows what version he will actually appear in.
However, it is Prochazka who is suffering the most in the whole situation and is awaiting a painstaking recovery. Jiri handled the whole situation admirably and deserves a lot of respect for the way he handled such an injury and for his decision to leave the light heavyweight throne. We wish him all the best and a speedy recovery.