The return of Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295 after healing from a severe shoulder injury, did not go according to his plan. The Czech phenom fell short against the champion Alex Pereira to reclaim the title he never lost. But now, he has a second chance to do that this weekend at UFC 303, having stepped in to fight for the title on short notice.

The fight promises to be a striking masterclass with two world-class strikers, Pereira and Prochazka going against each other for the undisputed title. But as we inch closer to their main event bout, let us look at the Czech’s martial arts background.

Does Jiri Prochazka hold a black belt?

Jiri Prochazka is an elite striker with a highlight reel of knockouts. Incredibly dynamic and creative with his offense, his Jon Jones-esque ability to pull new and effective moves is remarkable and catapulted him to the championship. The Czech Samurai’ started training in Muay Thai after watching the 2008 film ‘Never Back Down’.

The 31-year-old, however, does not have a black belt in any martial art. The unorthodox Jiri Prochazka, nonetheless, does train very hard and is known to punch trees, rails, and stones to toughen up his body and mind. However, he doesn’t have a black belt, neither in Muay Thai nor in any grappling martial arts discipline.

However, the lack of a black belt did not mean Jiri Prochazka did not have a good ground game. Yes, he has 26 out of his 30 wins by knockout but has 3 submission wins to his name, including one over the legendary Glover Teixeira, proving that he can start grappling with the most elite grapplers should the need ever arise. But is he only versed in only one martial arts discipline? Let’s dive a little into that aspect of his fighting.

What martial arts does ‘The Czech Samurai’ know?

Predominantly a Muay Thai fighter, Pereira has shown glimpses of excellent ground game but has never trained in any other form of martial arts. Besides training in the Thai fighting style in Bangtao Muay Thai and MMA, he’s also trained in Iceland at Mjolnir MMA. Prochazka even shared an insight about his fighting style, claiming that despite training in Muay Thai most of his life, he seeks to keep a balance in his fighting style, without adding too many new elements.

“I just balance my fighting style to be not just focused on one thing, but for all the things… I don’t want to change my mindset. I want to be just me,” Jiri Prochazla stated in an old interview. But will that mindset help him defeat Alex Pereira this time out? Well, that remains to be seen.

UFC 303 will probably be Jiri Prochazka’s last chance to reclaim the title while Alex Pereira is still the champion. We will have to wait and see if he can cross the finish line this weekend at the T-Mobile Arena. What are your predictions for the fight? Dropo your comments below.