A shoulder damage has prompted a large reshuffling on the prime of the UFC 282 pay-per-view excessive card.
UFC gentle heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka has withdrawn from his scheduled rematch in opposition to former titleholder Glover Teixeira. Additional, in line with the UFC, Prochazka, who’s anticipating a prolonged rehab, has apparently vacated the title because of his anticipated lengthy layoff.
Prochazka confirmed the information in a current submit to his Instagram web page.
I’m very upset to announce that I can’t be defending my belt at @ufc 282. I used to be injured in coaching in Las Vegas whereas ending my preparation for my title protection within the UFC’s lightheavyweight division. I injured my shoulder and surgical procedure is required which is able to put me out of motion for a minimum of 6 months. Realizing this info, I’ve determined, after consulting with UFC administration, that because of this time constraint, I can’t maintain lightheavyweight division and can vacate the title. I’ll go for the UFC belt as quickly because the docs give me the inexperienced gentle to struggle. I’m going to go for the belt and I’m going to get it irrespective of who presently holds it. It’s at all times been an important factor for me to placed on the most effective efficiency and examine myself to the most effective. Let the most effective present irrespective of who’s there now. I’ll be again in six months and I’ll take the title whoever holds it. I apologize to my followers, mates, household who purchased tickets and made plans to come back to Las Vegas to assist me, it means lots to me. I additionally need to apologize to Glover. Victory!
The brand new principal occasion for the December 10 struggle card will now be between ex-light heavyweight champ Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev, going through off for the vacated belt.
In accordance with Yahoo, Teixeira declined to face Ankalaev as a brief discover substitute opponent for the belt. Ariel Helwani studies that Teixeira requested for a rematch with Jan Blachowicz for the Dec. tenth date as a substitute, because the Polish fighter was an opponent he was already accustomed to. The UFC was apparently set on Ankalaev because the featured contender, nonetheless, and declined Teixeira’s counter provide to face Ankalaev at UFC 283 in January—noting that they wanted a title struggle to headline the UFC 282 card.
UFC president Dana White described Prochazka’s damage because the “worst shoulder damage the docs have seen in UFC historical past. It’s actually f—ing dangerous. His shoulder could be very, very dangerous. He’s going to have critical surgical procedure that can require in depth rehab.”
Prochazka, who joined the UFC in 2020 with a 26-3-1 skilled MMA report, gained the UFC gentle heavyweight title in his third contest with the promotion. Prochazka submitted Teixeira within the fifth spherical of their June matchup at UFC 275. The rematch between the 2 was to be Prochazka’s first title protection. The primary matchup between Prochazka and Teixeira took house “Battle of the Evening” honors.
Prochazka is 3-0 within the UFC with three stoppage victories. The expectation is that the 30-year-old (now) former champion will struggle for the belt when he is able to return to the Octagon.
The total assertion from the UFC on UFC 282:
UFC gentle heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka has suffered a shoulder damage that can require a big rehabilitation interval. Out of respect to the athletes and the division, Prochazka has elected to vacate his title and can compete for the belt as quickly as he’s medically cleared.
In consequence, the brand new UFC 282 principal occasion will see former champion and No. 2 ranked Jan Blachowicz tackle surging No. 3 ranked Magomed Ankalaev for the vacant, undisputed UFC gentle heavyweight championship.
A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with legendary knockout energy, Blachowicz has completed 4 of his final six wins in emphatic style and appears to recapture his misplaced crown with one other signature victory. Ankalaev is presently driving the second-longest win streak in UFC gentle heavyweight historical past with 9 victories, together with 5 by way of end, and plans to increase his streak by claiming his first UFC title.
Resulting from a change in the primary occasion, refunds shall be out there at level of sale. UFC 282: BLACHOWICZ vs ANKALAEV takes place Saturday, December 10 from T-Cell Enviornment in Las Vegas.
Alongside the brand new gentle heavyweight title struggle, the PPV is anticipated to function a light-weight bout between Paddy Pimblett & Jared Gordon, in addition to a welterweight bout between former champion Robbie Lawler & Santiago Ponzinibbio.
