Published 02/02/2023, 2:00 PM EST
The light heavyweight division has always been full of some of the most dangerous fighters on the planet. The division was more or less a fortress of former UFC champion Jon Jones. ‘Bones’ was one of the most dominant champions the weight class had ever seen and the fans are still in awe of the former 205-pound champ. Jones had convincingly beaten most of the opponents in his division and hence became a legend of the sport. However, Jiri Prochazka‘s former opponent believes that Prochazka has the skills to trouble Jones and possibly sneak a victory over ‘Bones’.
Jiri Prochazka could have stopped Jon Jones at LHW
Recently, Chael Sonnen interviewed one of the former Strikeforce and Rizin fighters, Muhammad Lawal. The former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion faced Jiri Prochazka in Rizin twice. A former Rizin rival of Jiri Prochazka, ‘King Mo’ has spoken highly of the former UFC champion. Moreover, he even proclaimed that the Czech fighter could beat UFC light heavyweight legend, Jon Jones.
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‘King Mo’ said while speaking with Sonnen, “I honestly think that a healthy Jiri [Prochazka] was gonna be the stop to beat Jon Jones…”
He continued, “I think Jon Jones is a great fighter and probably the best of all time, but in order to beat someone that technical, you have to get in his a**. He had to fight like him. It’s like three-minute tough man bout and Jiri fights to the high pace.”
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 06: Jon Jones of the United States looks on during his UFC Light Heavyweight Title bout against Thiago Santos of Brazil at T-Mobile Arena on July 06, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Furthermore, the former Strikeforce champion described the fighting style of Prochazka. “He’s reckless. He’s not gonna try out technique, he’s just trying to beat you, okay? Trying to go out there and knock you, knock you out. Try to stop you and I think that’s the style that would give Jon Jones problems. I’m not saying he’s gonna win, but that’s the style that Jon Jones for 205 will have issues with.”
Lawal speaks from experience because of his history with Jiri Prochazka going back to 2015.
Lawal and Prochazka have faced each other twice
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The former Strikeforce champion faced Prochazka twice in his career. The first bout took place in 2015, with ‘King Mo’ emerging victorious over the Czech fighter in round one. However, Prochazka is undefeated since and has gone on to capture the UFC light heavyweight championship in that run.
Jiri Prochazka (L) and Glover Teixeira (R) at UFC 275. Prochazka won in the 5th round.
Moreover, Prochazka also avenged his loss against Lawal at the Rizin 15 event. This was one of the wins in his 13-fight win streak.
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What do you think about ‘King Mo’s comments? Do you think Prochazka can beat Jones at 205 pounds?
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