Jiří Procházka’s Last-Gasp Gold
At UFC 275 in Singapore on June 12, 2022, Jiří Procházka seized the light heavyweight championship by submitting Glover Teixeira with a rear-naked choke at 4:32 of the fifth round. With less than half a minute remaining, the Czech challenger found the finish that transformed a punishing battle into championship glory.
Danger Until the Final Bell
The Teixeira victory remains the defining example of Procházka’s refusal to become predictable. A fighter associated with unusual striking rhythms and knockout power won his UFC title through a late submission against an accomplished grappler. The result rewarded persistence and the willingness to attack an opening immediately.
His subsequent championship pursuit brought painful setbacks. Alex Pereira defeated him in their UFC 303 rematch on June 29, 2024, ending the bout in the second round.
Big Finishes, Bigger Stakes
Procházka responded with third-round stoppage victories over Jamahal Hill at UFC 311 on January 18, 2025, and Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 320 on October 4, 2025. Those wins demonstrated that his finishing threat could survive difficult stretches and emerge late.
Another opportunity arrived at UFC 327 on April 11, 2026, when he faced Carlos Ulberg for the vacant light heavyweight title in Miami. Ulberg won by first-round knockout, denying Procházka another reign.
From the Teixeira submission to those later championship setbacks, Procházka’s story carries a constant tension: his willingness to chase a decisive moment makes him compelling, while every exchange can carry a heavy cost.
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Article Tags
Jiri Prochazka, Glover Teixeira, Carlos Ulberg, Alex Pereira, UFC, light heavyweight
