Jiri Prochazka doesn’t want to waste time returning to the championship throne.

Unfortunately for the former UFC light heavyweight champion, he’s lost his last two attempts at the title against the same man, Alex Pereira, within 10 months. Therefore, Prochazka is now resorting to exploring other possibilities such as a stab at the middleweight division.

Prochazka, 31, appears as one of the larger fighters in his 205-pound division but is confident he could cut down. The Czech Republic native has briefly teased the idea of changing weight classes since his second-round knockout loss to Pereira at UFC 303 in June. In a new interview released yesterday and recorded before UFC 305, Prochazka revealed his plans. Those of which hinged on the outcome of the UFC 305 main event that saw the champion Dricus du Plessis successfully defend his title against Israel Adesanya.

“If Adesanya wins, I’ll stay in the light heavyweight division, but if Du Plessis wins, I’ll follow him,” Prochazka said on his YouTube channel (h/t MMA Mania). “I’ll clear things up a bit there and take the belt. But I feel good and strong in the light heavyweight division, even though the guys there are a bit heavier. Almost all of them. So I have to say that I have no problem physically and strength-wise, or in any way, with clearing them out.

“But it would certainly be a challenge for me to go for the belt in the 185-pound division and then move up. But I’ll really let it flow and see how it unfolds.”

Du Plessis, 30, continued his thrilling run with a finish against Adesanya when he scored the fourth-round face crank submission. With that win, he became the first to submit Adesanya in 28 fights (24-4).

Immediately after the win, Du Plessis was presented with the idea of a Pereira champion vs. champion clash that doesn’t sound too likely anytime soon. Especially as Pereira also had his next title defense booked for UFC 307 against Khalil Rountree Jr. in October.

Ultimately, it would be another “bizarre in the best ways” type of matchup for the former light heavyweight champion Prochazka against Du Plessis. If you don’t remember, a lot of the wacky fun surrounding the Pereira-Prochazka rematch was the outside elemental spirits and voodoo — or something like that — accompanied by their ultra-entertaining striking abilities.

Whatever it was, Prochazka says he has shifted the energy positively.

“As for the black magic, over the past year, I’ve channeled that energy into other things, started focusing too much on different sources of strength rather than solely on my own,” Prochazka said when asked about Pereira. “And I think that was the main issue; then came the magic and all those other things. That just came along with it.

“Seeing that Pereira was doing certain things, I just grabbed onto that. And I, by indulging in those practices, fell into the same trap as [Aleksandar] Rakic did before the fight by talking about me and labeling me in a certain way. I’ve never paid attention to the opponent’s trash talk before, and I never will again. Because it’s just a sign of insecurity and weakness, and somehow it just crept in. Now it’s time to work on it.”

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TOP STORIES

Retired. Ronda Rousey shuts down any hope for a UFC comeback: ‘I’m not neurologically fit to compete anymore’

Contenders. Alex Pereira didn’t expect Khalil Rountree Jr. next, but Magomed ‘Ankalaev didn’t want to fight me’

Predictions. Caio Borralho expects Sean Strickland to beat Dricus du Plessis, but ‘I always bet against Dricus and he always wins’

Patience. Matt Brown: Conor McGregor is ‘gone,’ Michael Chandler going to ‘end up regretting’ that he waited this long

Bold. Chael Sonnen expects Khalil Rountree to ‘walk through’ Alex Pereira at UFC 307: ‘That is the worst matchup’

Leader. Gerald Meerschaert reacts to breaking Anderson Silva’s record with wild UFC Vegas 96 comeback

Goals. Diego Lopes confident Brian Ortega makes weight for UFC 306, title shot ‘won’t be that far’ with win

$$$. UFC Vegas 96 bonuses: Gerald Meerschaert locks up $50K with record-breaking finish

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LET’S WATCH

UFC Vegas 96 Post Show.

Enemy territory.

Legendary starts.

RIZIN Confessions 159.

Full fights (and match).

PFL DC Highlights.

Merab vlog.

Past opponents to sparring partners.

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MORNING MUSIC

Go to Twitter, use the #MorningReport hashtag, or find one of my tweets with it, and drop me a jam you’re currently really into. I’ll pick the best one alongside my daily choice and give you a shoutout! You can also share in the comments below — those are just harder to sift through sometimes!

This month’s full playlist:

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SOCIAL SCROLL DOWN

Ilia two belts.

What’s up, boss?

Celebration.

Next up.

Pretty good debut for Wang Cong.

Champ!

Chef Khabib.

Plans.

Crazy kicks, man.

Banter.

Action.

Good sport.

Nasty.

Insanity.

LMS.

Crumbled.

Last dance.

Throwback.

Scouting.

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Kanako Murata (12-3) vs. Jeong Huron Seon (0-0); Ganryujima Virtual Survival 2, Sept. 7

Brandon Royval (16-7) vs. Tatsuro Taira (16-0); UFC Vegas 98, Oct. 12

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FINAL THOUGHTS

Jed is going to be ecstatic about this Jiri development. I too look forward to the fight if we get it. Oh, how absurd it would be.

Thanks for reading!

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POLL POSITION

Last Week’s Results:

Friday: 43% of 364 total votes answered “No” when asked, “Would you rather see Dan Hooker fight Conor McGregor than Michael Chandler?”

Thursday: 68% of 574 total votes answered “Yes” when asked, “Will there be a finish in Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway?”

Wednesday: 91% of 236 total votes answered “No” when asked, “Will Mike Tyson box again after the Jake Paul match?”

Tuesday: 74% of 426 total votes answered “No” when asked, “Will Israel Adesanya fight again before 2024 is over?”

Monday: 52% of 363 total votes answered “Yes” when asked, “Do you have any interest in a potential Alex Pereira vs. Dricus du Plessis fight?”

Today’s exit poll:

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