Jiri Prochazka reacts to UFC 303 loss to Alex Pereira: ‘I need to evolve to the next level — or don’t fight again’

Jiri Prochazka came up short in his attempt to reclaim the UFC light heavyweight title by losing to Alex Pereira in the main event of Saturday night’s UFC 303 event in Las Vegas, and now he’s giving himself sort of an ultimatum.

The former UFC and RIZIN 205-pound champion lost via head kick knockout 18 seconds into the second round after being stunned at the buzzer in the first, and posted a video on his social media with his first words on the defeat.

“Hello everyone, thank you for all your support,” Prochazka said. “Thanks to you, Alex, for the fight. You [were] better. And only one thing goes on my mind, that I need to evolve to the next level — or don’t fight again. So simple, to be the strongest, this is the way. Thank you. See you in the gym.”

Check the video below.

Prochazka (30-5-1) was victorious in 14 of his past 16 MMA bouts dating back to 2015, but suffered both losses against “Poatan.” Both fighters agreed to step in on two weeks’ notice to save UFC 303 after Conor McGregor withdrew from the main event due to injury.

Pereira improved to 11-2 in MMA and 8-1 under the UFC banner with the knockout, his sixth since joining the UFC in 2021. The promotion has yet to confirm who will get the next crack at the light heavyweight belt.