Jiri Prochazka Believes UFC 295 Foe Alex Pereira is Not a Complete Fighter

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight ace Jiri Prochazka has issued some harsh critique based on his perception of upcoming opponent Alex Pereira’s abilities as a mixed martial artist.

Prochazka (29-3) will take on Pereira (8-2) for the vacant light heavyweight title in the UFC 295 co-main event on Nov. 11. The bout will mark Pereira’s second Octagon title bid -- in a new weight class -- all within the span of a year. While Prochazka acknowledges Pereira’s elite striking, “BJP” believes the former Glory Kickboxing champ is lacking in the grappling aspect of combat.

“I have to say, Alex, he’s not a good martial artist like on the ground on the wrestling but one thing he can do and knows what to do is his striking,” Prochazka told CBS Sports’ Shakiel Mahjouri. “It will be a pleasure to compete with him in the stand-up. He’s good in stand-up but not good in wrestling and all these things. He’s too much focused on striking. He’s very good at that but on the other things, other styles, he’s not good, too. I am not too good of a wrestler to say that but I think I am better than him. Doesn’t matter. That’s my opinion, my stance.”

The Polish powerhouse vacated his crown after being forced out of a scheduled UFC 282 clash against Glover Teixeira due to a significant shoulder injury. While UFC CEO Dana White was all praises for Prochazka for not keeping the title picture in limbo, “BJP” has now revealed that the decision wasn’t his.

“One thing I have to say... it was not my idea to release the title but I agreed with that,” declared Prochazka. “I confirmed that because I believe in myself that when I go to the cage again after all these things, I can take that title again. So, that’s why I did that.”