Jiri Prochazka reveals hilarious weight cutting mishap ahead of UFC 311 knockout win
01/25/2025 04:29 PM
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka had the best weight cut of his career ahead of UFC 311, but not for the reasons you might expect.
Jiri Prochazka earned arguably the most important victory of his career when he knocked out Jamahal Hill in a pivotal showcase bout on the UFC 311 main card. In a ‘Fight of the Year’ candidate for as long as it lasted, Prochazka and Hill traded heavy blows inside the Octagon before Prochazka sealed the deal by TKO in Round 3.
Prochazka bounced back from two recent title fight losses to Alex Pereira to stay in the light heavyweight championship conversation after UFC 311. Following his victory, Prochazka could potentially get another crack at Pereira, depending on the result of Pereira’s upcoming title defense against Magomed Ankalaev.
Prochazka is one of the UFC’s most unique characters, from his Samurai persona to his unorthodox training methods. He isn’t afraid to put himself in uncomfortable situations to strengthen his mind for the chaos of fighting.
Prochazka has never missed weight in his 37-fight career and his cuts are usually smooth and without severe health consequences. But ahead of UFC 311, Prochazka’s sauna meditation led to him exceeding expectations before the official weigh-in.
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Jiri Prochazka overcut weight ahead of UFC 311 knockout win
During a recent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Prochazka shared what went wrong just hours before knocking out Hill at UFC 311.
“I thought I would do my best when I went into the sauna, the night before the weigh-ins, and spent a long time there,” Prochazka said. “I [put] myself in the sauna, and I was there two hours. I didn’t drink anything after the sauna and the next day, I was 200 pounds.
“I was 2 1/2 kilograms below the weight. I tried to hide myself before the other guys [weighed in] and drank water because I spent too much time in the sauna.”
Somehow, Prochazka was able to rehydrate his body just enough to weigh in at just under the light heavyweight limit (204.5lbs) without the California State Athletic Commission intervening. Hours later, Prochazka finished Hill in one of the most impressive performances of his career.
Coincidentally, Prochazka has teased a potential move down to middleweight before he ultimately hangs up the gloves. But for now, he’s content fighting at light heavyweight as he moves closer to a potential third fight with Pereira.
Jiri Prochazka is back in the title mix after UFC 311 performance
Before his knockout win at UFC 311, Prochazka suffered a short-notice knockout defeat to Pereira at UFC 303, headlining the card on just weeks’ notice. The event was supposed to mark Conor McGregor‘s return to the Octagon against Michael Chandler before McGregor withdrew due to a toe injury.
Prochazka’s rematch with Pereira came just months after losing in their vacant light heavyweight title fight at UFC 295 in 2023. It was his long-awaited return to the Octagon after a shoulder injury in 2022 abruptly ended his light heavyweight title reign.
In between losses to Pereira, Prochazka earned a wild come-from-behind victory over Aleksandar Rakić at UFC 300. He also rallied when he won the UFC light heavyweight title over Glover Teixeira at UFC 275.
Prochazka went above and beyond in and out of the cage before his showdown with Hill at UFC 311. As he prepares for his return to the Octagon later this year, he’ll likely have to tamp down his time in the sauna during his upcoming weight cut.
