Prochazka won the light heavyweight championship belt in mid-June when he defeated brass Glover Teixeira at a major UFC gala in Singapore.
Back home in the Czech Republic, he was celebrated by thousands of people in the city of Brno.
- It was not something I had expected, but it was powerful.
It made me excited and surprised to see so many people.
It has never happened in the Czech Republic before after an MMA match.
It was fantastic to feel their energy, says Prochazka to SVT Sport.
Want to be like "The Mauler"
The champion, with a 29-3 match result, now hopes to have the same significance for the rise of the MMA sport in the Czech Republic as Alexander Gustafsson had in Sweden.
Among other things, "The Mauler" managed to sell out the Tele2 Arena in the middle of the night when he met Anthony Johnson in 2015.
And then there wasn't even a title at stake, like the one Prochazka now has.
- Yes, I want to make the same impression as him.
He was my idol.
His boxing and footwork was fantastic.
And his match against Glover (in Globen 2017, editor's note) was much better than mine, laughs the Czech.
- I saw his last match and don't know if he is motivated enough to keep fighting.
But for me it doesn't matter, I'd rather talk about his greatness.
He is humble and an absolutely amazing guy.
We have trained together and sparred with each other and I have nothing negative to say about him.
Do you think he can reach the top again?
- Yes I think so.
If he has the right motivation and attitude, I think he can still get there.
CLIP: UFC champion lives like a samurai: "I'm just myself"
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The Czech Republic's Jiri Prochazka is Europe's only UFC champion right now.
Photo: SVT/Youtube
Have sent match offer
Prochazka himself wants a return meeting with Glover Teixeira, from whom he recently took the championship belt.
Their title match in June was hailed as one of the best title matches in the history of the weight class.
- I have sent an offer to Glover for a return meeting.
I was not satisfied with my performance but want to show everyone why I am number one.
How soon do you want to be back?
- We are talking to the UFC about the end of this year, so we will see.
Where it happens or at which gala does not matter.
First, I want to defend my belt against Glover and defeat him clearly.
Then I want to face either Magomed Ankalaev or Jan Blachowicz.
Some experts claim that the light heavyweight is the weakest of all weight classes. What do you think when you hear that?
- Lol!
Oh man... I've never heard that.
But whoever says that, come down to our weight class and challenge us.
I think it's disrespectful.
So come here and show us something then!
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Nunes defeated Peña in UFC 277. Photo: TT