Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka were the top dogs of the light heavyweight division until UFC 313 in March. After all, the Czech superstar became champion in June 2022 and vacated his title later that year since he was injured and didn’t want to hold up the division. So when he came back and was healthy to fight, he was pitched against Pereira for the vacant title in late 2023.

The duo, of course, had two memorable clashes, both of which ‘Poatan’ won via knockouts. Prochazka, crestfallen after the second loss, vowed to get better and avenge his setbacks to Pereira. However, just as he was looking like he was back in the title picture with a win over Jamahal Hill in January 2025 at UFC 311, in came Magomed Ankalaev. The Dagestani, of course, beat ‘Poatan’ to win the title at UFC 313, and is anxious to defend his title, reportedly at UFC 317 on June 28.

And the UFC reportedly offered the fight to Pereira and then to Prochazka. However, both men refused! ‘Poatan’ reportedly because he wants to fight at a later date, and Prochazka because he is busy with getting a degree and has exams coming up. As you can imagine, Ankalaev (and indeed many in the UFC world) were quite disappointed and started insulting both former champions.

But former champion and UFC commentator, Michael Bisping, feels the two legends made the right choice. “I don’t blame Jiri Prochazka and I don’t blame Pereira, to be honest [for not wanting to fight Ankalaev at UFC 317]. I mean, it wasn’t short notice; this was a couple of weeks ago now. 317’s about five weeks away, so it still would have been, you know, essentially a full camp. But, regardless, Prochazka, he’s lost to Pereira twice,” he said on his official YouTube channel.

“If he was to get another title fight, getting a third title shot, is that three or four? Because he’s been the champ. If he loses that one again, he ain’t gonna get another one, so I don’t blame him. Certainly, Ankalaev being the gigantic size that he is, and with the style that he has, you know, I don’t blame him [Prochazka] necessarily for that. I mean, I don’t blame him necessarily,” Bisping added.

And there is a lot of merit in what ‘The Count’ is saying. However, these clashes could have been phenomenal. Moreover, the two former champions have developed a heated feud with the Dagestani champion, with Ankalaev taking shots at every instance possible. However, ‘BJP’ understands the stakes and what the future holds for him. Let’s see why!

Why Jiri Prochazka’s next title shot may be his last?

Indeed, Bisping is correct. Jiri Prochazka has fought for the title thrice in his UFC career already. This is already more than most fighters in the promotion get. But then again, the top of the light heavyweight division has been a bit stagnant over the past couple of years, with no new title contenders really knocking down the doors as they have been at, say, featherweight.

So a fourth title shot would probably be the last title shot ‘The Czech Samurai’ gets. And since ‘The Count’ feels that Ankalaev’s sheer size, strength, and relentless forward pressure fighting style, combined with his technical mastery would be a huge challenge for the Czech former champion. So turning down the fight until Prochazka is totally prepared and ready to fight again makes perfect sense to Bisping, exams or no exams.

But except for Prochazka and Pereira, there isn’t really anyone who could fight for the light heavyweight title at the moment. Except for the young and destructive #3-ranked Kiwi star, Carlos Ulberg, who may just get to fight for the title because of good timing rather than anything else. What do you think about Michael Bisping’s take on Pereira and Prochazka refusing to fight Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 317?