Prochazka eyes UFC title after stunning knockout of Reyes

Fast-rising Jiri Prochazka cemented his position as one of the most exciting athletes in the UFC with a devastating knockout of top-ranked light-heavyweight contender Dominick Reyes yesterday.

The powerful Czech, who starred on his long-awaited promotional debut in Abu Dhabi last summer, put on another stunning display at UFC Vegas 25.

After a thrilling opening round full of heavy exchanges, Prochazka landed the decisive blow with 31 seconds remaining in the next, connecting with a thudding spinning back elbow to leave Reyes out cold. It was only the third spinning elbow knockout in UFC history. Reyes, a former two-time title challenger who also last fought in Abu Dhabi, lay prone for several minutes before sitting up.

The victory earned Prochazka bonuses for both Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night, and lifted him to 2-0 in the UFC (28-3-1 MMA). Renown for his unorthodox but eye-catching stand-up, Prochazka is slated for a title shot against the winner of Polish champion Jan Blachowicz and Brazil’s Glover Teixeira, possibly in September.

“Yeah, I’m ready. Let’s do that,” Prochazka said about a potential title fight. “I like my neighbour, Blachowicz ... So the winner will be my next opponent? OK, that’s a big honour for me.”

Prochazka added: “It was a very nice fight. I just want to show the beauty of the art, but sometimes I go very quickly for the win. By that, I catch some punches. I’m learning still from fight to fight.

“After some counter punches, I had no chance to think of some plans. I just was in the flow. After that, the spinning elbow, let’s try it.”