Jiri Prochazka's path to the top has been unconventional, to say the least.
The mixed martial arts star from the Czech Republic was a self-described “wild guy” as a teenager and was involved in over 100 street fights.
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Like many disaffected young people in his area, he ended up joining an extremist group at the local football team, FC Zbrojovka Brno.
While marching with the ultras, he took part in organised brawls, including violent 30-on-30 brawls.
But he gave up that unusual lifestyle after beginning martial arts training at the age of 17.
“I'm a different person now,” Prochaska told The Sun about his checkered past.
“I am happy with this journey. Life is about learning and practicing to get better.
“It's a path of mastery, but it's not just in martial arts, it's a path of mastery in life.”
Prochazka eventually turned to mixed martial arts, making his professional debut in 2012.
Prochazka compiled a record of 14 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw in his first three years as a professional boxer before getting his first big break with the Japanese professional boxing promotion RIZIN.
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Prochazka’s first assignment was at the 2015 RIZIN World Grand Prix 100kg tournament.
He knocked out Olympic gold medalist judoka Satoshi Ishii in his opening bout on Tuesday, then returned to the ring two days later to compete in the semifinals and final.
Prochazka won by first-round knockout against Vadim Nemkov in the semifinals, but was knocked out in the first round by Mohammed Lawal in the tournament finals later that night.
It would be Prochazka's last defeat in seven years.
Following that setback, he compiled an impressive 10-0 record, including a stoppage win over Lawal to capture the inaugural RIZIN light heavyweight title in 2019.
The win caught the attention of UFC, who signed him to a multi-fight contract a year later.
He then knocked out Volkan Oezdemir and Dominick Reyes before facing Glover Teixeira for the UFC light heavyweight title in his third UFC appearance.
Prochazka, who made his name with his wild stand-up knockouts, proved himself to be the complete fighter when he submitted Teixeira via rear-naked choke to become the Czech Republic's first UFC champion.
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However, just five months later, a right shoulder injury forced him to miss his first title defense, a rematch against Teixeira at UFC 282, and he was stripped of the title.
Prochazka was scheduled to return to action in November 2023 against Alex Pereira for the vacant title, but was stopped in the second round after receiving several clean elbows to the side of the head.
When Prochaska fell onto his back, referee Marc Goddard elected to step in and stop the bout.
However, UFC commentators Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier, like many MMA fans, thought the stoppage was a bit premature.
Prochazka bounced back with a second-round stoppage win over Aleksandar Rakic and now got the chance to get revenge on Pereira when the rematch was booked as the extra main event at UFC 303 following Conor McGregor's withdrawal.
The two will face off on Saturday night for Pereira's UFC light heavyweight title in what is sure to be a highly explosive bout.
