The featured prelim of UFC 300 featured a massive light heavyweight matchup which was being looked at as a potential title eliminator. Former champion Jiri Prochazka (29-4-1) was looking to get back on track as he took on the returning Aleksandar Rakic (14-3).
For Rakic, this was his first fight in nearly two years. The last time we saw him was against Jan Blachowicz and he blew out his knee in that fight. Prior to the knee injury, he had won fights against Thiago Santos and Anthony Smith. He was on the cusp of a title fight then and tonight he came right back to a potential title eliminator.
However, he had a steep challenge in front of him. Jiri Prochazka lost a vacant title fight to Alex Pereira back in November which snapped his 13-fight win streak. Thus far in the UFC, Prochazka has stoppage victories over Glover Teixeira, Dominick Reyes, and Volkan Oezdemir. He was looking to add Rakic to that list tonight.
UFC 300 Recap
Round 1
The first round at UFC 300 immediately starts with Rakic taking the center. Lots of low kicks early from Rakic and Prochazka is on the pressure. Huge calf kicks from Rakic and that’s all he’s throwing early on. Big left straight from Prochazka and he eats a 1-2 from Rakic. Rakic is just eating up the lead legs of Prochazka.
Prochazka hit with another brutal combination. Rakic is just lighting up Jiri Prochazka here in the first round. Another nasty kick and Prochazka has to change stances. He can hardly stand on that leg right now. There’s no answer from Jiri Prochazka right now. All Rakic here and Prochazka hasn’t landed a single significant shot.
Prochazka is now bleeding under his right eye and Rakic just continues picking him apart. Huge right hand from Rakic. Prochazka trying some level changes. Right hand from Prochazka and Rakic is hurt. Rakic is firing back and he seems to be recovered but Prochazka is really upping the pressure. The round ends and it’s Rakic’s round but the former UFC champion got his attention.
Round 2
Entering the second round and Prochazka has to avoid the leg kicks in this round. Rakic immediately goes right back on the leg kicks to start the second round. Right hand lands from Rakic. Right hand from Rakic after a head kick from Prochazka. Both men step forward and Prochazka lands. Rakic lands a right that got the attention of the former champ.
Prochazka comes forward and lands a huge shot. Rakic throws fire right back at him. Head kick from Prochazka and both men just start winging haymakers here. Huge 1-2 from Prochazka and now a knee from Rakic. Combination from Rakic. Prochazka lands a huge shot and Rakic is hurt. Prochazka is all over him and Rakic is trying to survive. This one is over, massive comeback and stoppage from Jiri Prochazka.
Jiri Prochazka def. Aleksandar Rakic by TKO – Round 2