Jiri Prochazka has openly expressed his dissatisfaction with fights that end up on judges’ scorecards. Prochazka believes that having three different judges scoring the fight introduces a lot of variables in determining the outcome. He yearns for the early days of the UFC when there was no involvement of judges or time limits. In his words, “I think the fights, especially in the UFC, can’t end for the points. Because for the points everytime there is a referee [judge], one referee is for him, one referee is for him and tell me, who wins. I think the best time for fighting was when that’s end for like no time limit…Bring it back”.
The MMA fighter further suggested that allowing battles to go on for a longer duration without time limits could work in his favour. This perspective comes from his vast experience in Rizin Fighting Federation. Prochazka was a light heavyweight champion in this Japanese promotion, known for its unique rules that included a 10-minute first round followed by two five-minute rounds. He feels that once a fighter overcomes the initial shock of fighting beyond five minutes, they can better channel their true warrior spirit.
His personal experience at Rizin reinforces his beliefs. He recalls an instance where he had to adapt to the chaotic 10-minute rounds. He emphasizes, “Then you stop to think about five minutes because it’s longer. When you accept it, then you start to think about your breathing, about your energetic system, how to deal with that. Then you can see there is no time limit, then you can see like a true warrior spirit. Like who really wants to win and who really knows their body and how to work with that.” Prochazka acknowledges this challenge will follow him in his return to UFC after more than a year’s absence. In his comeback fight at UFC 295 due on Saturday, he faces Alex Pereira to compete for the vacant light heavyweight belt.