Jiri Prochazka releases final statement on botched UFC 327 title fight: ‘We were born to overcome’

“So briefly, and the only thing in the fight: I lost my focus there. Focus on the goal, focus on the target, and that was especially the case when Ulberg injured his leg. I know what that’s like, because exactly this happened to me once in a fight in Japan. I fought through that match, but I know what it’s like — the pain, the struggle. So all credit to him for managing to keep a cool head. For catching me with that hook.”

“But I can say for myself that I know from the moment that happened to him, I wasn’t at 100% any more,” Prochazka continued. “I was maybe at 40%, 50% of my performance. And I was just sparring and waiting for the referee to stop the fight at any moment. And that was probably one of the — it was a big mistake. Maybe one of the biggest. I don’t want to beat myself up about it nonstop because the most important thing is to always learn from it and move forward stronger. So that’s it.”

“And as for responding to all these so-called experts here,” he added. “[Paulo] Costa, [Magomed] Ankalaev, and all the other ‘experts,’ the so called guys? [Kisses hand] Like this. On top of that I don’t even know if Ankalaev is still being written by his manager or if it’s actually him. As for the next fight, I’ll start talking about negotiations for the next fight in about a month because right now it’s time to focus purely and mainly on my family.”

Prochazka went on to discuss the arrival of his new baby, who was due for birth just days after his UFC 327 main event fight.

“Even though I’m filled with a million emotions from the fight and all those things are really battling inside me, right now I need to hold my ground, hold my ground at home,” he said. “The girls are always asleep so I’d better keep it quiet and just be a real man of the house and enjoy this new energy that’s come to us through our daughter, the newly-born just now, fresh off the birth. Which makes me happy. It’s an amazing boost.”

“But like I said, there’s more to it now and I’m looking forward to it. I’m already looking forward to the next opponent in the next round of training. To strengthen it again, to be a little better, to stay on the way. Strength and honor. Take care. Keep it going. That’s what we were born to do. Overcome, overcome, overcome. Win over ourselves and over others. Move forward, overall. May it go well for everyone out there. Hang in there. God bless.”