Morning Report: Jiri Prochazka admits constant USADA visits are ‘a little bit annoying’

Jiri Prochazka has been tested by USADA more than any other UFC fighter in 2022.

Per USADA records, the current UFC light heavyweight champion is the promotion’s doping agency’s favorite athlete by a significant margin. Prochazka has been tested a whopping 61 times this year. For comparison, the next closest fighters’ samples turned in belong to middleweight contender Paulo Costa and strawweight prospect Ariane Carnelossi, clocking in at 20 each. The Brazilian tandem is the only other two out of 749 total fighters with 20 or more samples submitted. Only 33 other fighters aside from Prochazka, Costa, and Carnelossi have been tested 10 or more times.

“Yeah, it’s a little bit annoying,” Prochazka told ESPN of his constant USADA visits. “But if it’s the price to be the champion, I will pay that.

“[It’s been] more than 50 times, I don’t know. I don’t count that.”

Prochazka became champion this past June in Singapore at UFC 275, defeating Glover Teixeira in a Fight of the Year candidate. As one of many comeback title victories in the crazy year of 2022, “Denisa” pulled off a last-minute rear-naked choke to force Teixeira to tap.

Due to the nature of the bout, seeing Teixeira on his way to a successful defense had he not been stopped, Prochazka was less than satisfied with his showing. On Dec. 10 in Las Vegas, the rematch will take place, allowing Prochazka the chance to right his wrongs despite coming out on top in part one.

“I will show my best performance like every time,” Prochazka said. “But I’m just working on my mistakes from the last fight and I don’t want to repeat those mistakes from wrestling, from jiu-jitsu, and show more of my stand-up because I just showed I think about 50, 20 percent.

“I’m fighting because I want to show my best performance. It’s all about that. To be satisfied with that. About satisfaction. I want to be more satisfied with my performance, that’s all I’m about.”

Prochazka, 30, has been one of the most exciting fighters in all of MMA since his arrival in April 2012. Of his 29 career victories in 33 bouts, only once has he won via decision.

Looking to start off his reign with a sharper display against his Brazilian counterpart, the Czech Republic native aims to one day be regarded as the absolute best across all divisions.

“To be the best fighter in the world,” Prochazka said of his goals. “I will prove that I am the best pound-for-pound. That’s the goal and I will achieve that.”

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Controversy. Michael Chandler on Dustin Poirier’s finger bite at UFC 281: ‘I would have done the exact same thing’

Frustration. Terence Crawford blames ‘business of boxing’ for ruining Errol Spence fight

Freedom. Cain Velasquez asks court for permission to participate in pro wrestling event while out on bail

Enemies. Conor McGregor fires back at retired Khabib Nurmagomedov: ‘Your fear of defeat means you’ve already lost’

Weight. Paddy Pimblett explains process for losing 50 pounds ahead of UFC 282

Beef. Leon Edwards still wants revenge against Jorge Masvidal ‘in the octagon or on the street’

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The MMA Hour.

Empire State Staredowns.

2022 PFL Championship Fight Week Ep. 3.

(Well-timed) Free Fight.

Cooking with Volk.

Joe Rogan’s podcast studio.

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Hmm.

Nice.

Perspective.

Flexing.

Maybe?

Future.

Primal throwback.

Jon is nuts.

Will this fight deliver?

Worldwide.

Make it happen (plus Carmouche vs. Xiong at 125).

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Denise Kielholtz (6-4) vs. Ilara Joanne (10-6); Bellator 289, Dec. 9

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USADA must think Prochazka is mainlining rocket fuel or something because those numbers are outrageous.

Thanks for reading!

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Last Week’s Results:

Friday: 51% of 282 total votes answered “UFC Vegas 65” when answered, “Which is the better event this weekend?” Bellator 288 took place on Friday.

Wednesday: 62% of 727 total votes answered “Derrick Lewis” when asked, “Who wins this weekend?” Lewis’ UFC Vegas 65 main event bout against Sergey Spivak was canceled mid-card due to a Lewis illness.

Tuesday: 62% of 885 total votes answered “Yes” when asked, “Should Israel Adesanya get an instant rematch with Alex Pereira?”

Monday: 82% of 902 total votes answered “No” when asked, “Was the Pereira-Adesanya stoppage early?”

Today’s exit poll:

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