Jiří Procházka Bio
Jiří Procházka, born on October 14, 1992, is a Czech professional mixed martial artist competing in the Light Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and the first Czech fighter to win a UFC championship. Procházka has also held titles in the Rizin Fighting Federation and Gladiator Fighting Championship, known for his unorthodox fighting style and fierce determination.
Early Life and Background
Jiří Procházka was born in Znojmo, Czechoslovakia, and grew up in the nearby village of Hostěradice. His father passed away when he was six years old. In his youth, Procházka was active in amateur football, freestyle BMX riding, and floorball. As a teenager, he was involved in frequent street fights and participated in organized football hooliganism with the local club FC Zbrojovka Brno.
He first encountered mixed martial arts before high school after watching videos of prominent fighters and the film Never Back Down, which inspired him to begin training in martial arts, particularly Thai boxing. Procházka pursued higher education at Masaryk University, earning a bachelor’s degree and later a master’s degree in Security and Strategic Studies while competing professionally.
Path to MMA
Procházka began his professional MMA career in 2012 with the Gladiator Fighting Championship in the Czech Republic, quickly establishing himself by winning the inaugural GCF Light Heavyweight Championship. His early success and dynamic fighting style led him to sign with the Rizin Fighting Federation in 2015, where he became the inaugural Light Heavyweight Champion. His performances in Rizin elevated his profile internationally and paved the way for his entry into the UFC.
Jiří Procházka Career
Early Career (2012–2015)
Procházka debuted professionally in 2012 with Gladiator Fighting Championship, where he compiled a 7–2 record in his first two years. He won the inaugural GCF Light Heavyweight Championship in 2013 via flying knee knockout, a fight that gained viral attention in the Czech Republic. He successfully defended this title in 2014 before transitioning to Rizin Fighting Federation.
Rizin Fighting Federation Breakthrough (2015–2019)
Procházka made his Rizin debut in December 2015, winning his quarter-final fight by first-round knockout. He advanced to the tournament final but lost in the first round. Over the following years, he secured multiple victories by knockout and technical knockout, including wins over notable opponents such as Kazuyuki Fujita and Bruno Cappelozza. In 2019, he won the inaugural Rizin FF Light Heavyweight Championship by defeating Muhammed Lawal via third-round technical knockout and successfully defended the title before vacating it to join the UFC.
Ultimate Fighting Championship Era (2020–Present)
Procházka signed with the UFC in January 2020 and made an immediate impact by knocking out Volkan Oezdemir in his debut, earning a Performance of the Night bonus. He continued his rise with a knockout win over Dominick Reyes in 2021, receiving both Performance and Fight of the Night honors. In 2022, Procházka captured the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship by submitting Glover Teixeira in a back-and-forth bout, becoming the first Czech UFC champion. Despite vacating the title due to injury later that year, he returned to compete in high-profile fights, including a rematch with Alex Pereira and a victory over Aleksandar Rakić in 2024, earning multiple Performance of the Night awards.
Driving Style and Strengths
Procházka is known for his unorthodox and unpredictable fighting style, blending traditional martial arts philosophy with aggressive, high-risk tactics. He fights out of a wide stance with hands often lowered, relying on head movement, timing, and reflexes. His approach embraces total engagement, often absorbing damage to create openings for counterattacks, drawing from Zen and Bushido principles to fight instinctively.
Notable Events and Milestones
Procházka’s career highlights include becoming the first Czech UFC champion, winning the inaugural Rizin FF Light Heavyweight title, and earning multiple Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses. His bouts are noted for their intensity and dramatic momentum shifts, particularly his UFC Light Heavyweight Championship win over Glover Teixeira.
Jiří Procházka Career Wins
Throughout his career, Jiří Procházka has amassed 32 wins in 38 professional MMA fights, with victories coming predominantly by knockout and technical knockout. His dynamic striking and submission skills have secured him championship titles across multiple organizations.
UFC Highlights
Procházka has secured several notable wins in the UFC, including knockout victories over Volkan Oezdemir and Dominick Reyes. His championship win against Glover Teixeira via submission marked a career-defining moment. Despite setbacks due to injury and losses in title rematches, he continues to be a top contender in the Light Heavyweight division.
Other Wins & Performances
Before joining the UFC, Procházka achieved significant success in Rizin Fighting Federation, winning the Light Heavyweight Championship and defending it successfully. His early career in Gladiator Fighting Championship also featured a championship reign and several highlight-reel finishes.
Jiří Procházka Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details about Procházka’s family background are limited, though it is known that his father passed away when he was six years old. There is no public information indicating a family history in combat sports.
Personal Life
Procházka is a devoted follower of Bushido and samurai philosophy, particularly influenced by Miyamoto Musashi’s The Book of Five Rings. He supports FC Zbrojovka Brno and has a history of involvement in football hooliganism prior to his professional MMA career. He resides near Brno, Czech Republic, and is conversational in English and Japanese. His nickname “Denisa” originated during training and is a female Czech name. Procházka is known for his battle cry “BJP,” an initialism in Czech meaning “Bomb The Shit Out of ‘Em,” which is also the name of his merchandise brand.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Jiří Procházka continued to compete at the highest level in the UFC Light Heavyweight division. He secured a technical knockout victory over former champion Jamahal Hill at UFC 311, earning a Performance of the Night award. Later in the year, he won by knockout against Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 320, receiving both Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night bonuses. These performances demonstrate Procházka’s sustained elite form and his ability to deliver exciting fights, maintaining his status as a top contender in the division.