Jiri Prochazka out of UFC 282, vacates title; Magomed Ankalaev vs. Jan

Jiri Prochazka’s rematch with Glover Teixeira will not take place at UFC 282 after Prochazka suffered a “serious injury,” according to a report Wednesday from Yahoo! Sports.

As a result of the scratch, Prochazka has vacated the UFC light heavyweight title, according to the report, and the UFC has promoted a light heavyweight fight between ex-champ Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankaleav to the main event of the Dec. 10 pay-per-view, which takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

According to ESPN.com, Prochazka suffered a “severe orthopedic injury” and, according to his reps and the UFC, elected to give up the belt so the light heavyweight division could move on. The nature of the injury could possibly require up to one year of recovery time.

A person close to Prochazka, who declined to be named publicly due to the sensitivity of the fighter’s situation, confirmed the injury was to the now ex-champ’s shoulder. The person said the injury will require surgery and added it “will be a long road back unfortunately.”

MMA Fighting was not immediately able to reach Teixeira or the UFC for comment on the shakeup.

The reportedly former light heavyweight champ was set to make his first title defense in a rematch of a “Fight of the Year” candidate against ex-champ Teixeira, who lost via fifth-round submission in their first meeting, a back-and-forth slugfest in June at UFC 275.

The Blachowicz vs. Ankalaev matchup put the winner in prime position to vie for the title. Blachowicz, who ceded the belt to Teixeira in 2021, called out Prochazka immediately after the Czech fighter’s title win. But the new champ decided instead to run back his fight with Teixeira, wanting to correct what he felt was his worst career performance.