Jiri Prochazka awaits Glover Teixeira after UFC 267

July 12, 2020; Abu Dhabi, UAE; Jiri Prochazka of the Czech Republic punches Volkan Oezdemir of Switzerland in their light heavyweight fight during the UFC 251 event at Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island on July 12, 2020 on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via USA TODAY Sports

This past Saturday in the main event of UFC 267, the light heavyweight title was on the line. Poland’s Jan Blachowicz (28-9) was defending his title against 42 year old Glover Teixeira (32-8) who was getting his second chance at UFC gold.

The fight started perfectly for the challenger on Saturday when Teixeira was able to land a takedown. Takedowns were going to be key if he was going to stop the legendary Polish Power and immediately, Teixeira was able to get the takedown.

In the second round, Teixeira was actually able to wobble the champion on the feet before getting him back to the ground. Once on the ground, Teixeira went right through the champion and submitted him to become UFC light heavyweight champion.

Tears were flowing all around as one of the good guys of the sport pulled off this miraculous run to become light heavyweight champion at this stage of his career. The victory at UFC 267 gave Teixeira his light heavyweight title, but it also earned him a date with perhaps the best light heavyweight on the planet.

Prochazka’s UFC Title Shot

While Dana White didn’t confirm after UFC 267, it’s clear that the next title shot belongs to Jiri Prochazka (28-3-1). Prochazka hasn’t lost a fight since 2015 and he’s started out perfect in the UFC since joining the promotion last year.

In his first two fights, he’s taken on former title challengers Dominick Reyes and Volkan Oezdemir. Neither one of those guys made it past the second round. Earlier this year, Prochazka had his first taste of a main event opposite Dominick Reyes.

Prochazka put on a clinic and knocked Reyes out with a spinning back elbow in the second round. In my opinion, Prochazka is the best light heavyweight in the UFC and in the world. However, Glover Teixeira has proved me wrong over and over again.

The champion said after UFC 267 that he’d like to take a couple of months off before the Prochazka fight. My guess is we will see this fight in the spring. Despite Glover’s current run, expect Prochazka to be a sizeable betting favorite when these two finally meet.