This really isn't the type of post I normally do on here. This is much more of a Chael Sonnen YouTube video topic, but this one struck me as being especially noteworthy. We're also without any UFC for another weekend and the Bellator card really doesn't carry enough intrigue for me to write up a full post on Ryan Bader vs Valentin Moldavsky. I'll be watching, but I might actually watch some of the Royal Rumble too. I haven't been too much into WWE since I was a kid, but the Royal Rumble is always a little bit different. Anyways, it has been in the news cycle the last few days about how Jiri Prochazka is preparing for his upcoming UFC title fight against Glover Teixeira with the help of Jon Jones and Henry Cejudo. This story really caught my eye for a number of reasons, which in this slow week without many topics, I thought was worthy of a post.
Using Henry Cejudo as a coach carries a little more weight than it would have even a few months ago. I'm not sure if Henry served as the head coach for Deiveson Figueiredo in his fight against Brandon Moreno, but it sure seemed like it. It came across that Henry was not only responsible for the day to day training schedule, but was also instrumental in the strategy and game planning. While it was a very close fight, Figueiredo got the decision win and Henry was an instrumental part of it. I'll also give him some degree of credit for making sure that Figueiredo had his weight situation in order. Henry now has the experience of coaching a fighter to a title victory and that goes with all of his experience in winning big fights and matches himself. His history as a competitor is well documented, but for new fans who may have never seen Cejudo fight, he's a former UFC double champ at both 125 lbs and 135 lbs. He also has an Olympic gold medal in wrestling, so he's as decorated as any athlete to ever grace the octagon. That championship experience will be especially valuable as this will be Jiri's first UFC title fight and only his third fight in the UFC overall. He has plenty of experience in other promotions, but obviously the crowd and level of hype behind a UFC title fight will be something new for Prochazka. Being able to lean on Henry for advice will certainly help to calm those nerves to some degree. Additionally, Cejudo has the experience and credentials that be able to help Prochazka with his wrestling. As he's aged, Glover Teixeira has relied more and more on his grappling and Prochazka will have to defend it if he plans on taking home the title. Prochazka wants to keep the fight standing and trade shots on the feet. Now, Glover still has power in his hands, but that's what Jiri wants. He's going to come forward with his hands down and wait for his opponent to land their shots so he can absorb the and then land his own. It's a dangerous game to play, but his chin has help up so far against fighters that I estimate are more powerful strikers than Glover. Prochazka will just have to avoid going to the ground with Teixeira and there's few people who know wrestling at a higher level than Henry Cejudo. Having Cejudo on his side as a coach will have Prochazka's grappling as prepared as it can be for this fight and I think this was a fantastic decision by Jiri or whoever is advising him.
Being able to train with Jon Jones brings a lot of the same benefits. Jon has as much championship experience as anyone currently involved in the sport. Jon is also a tremendous wrestler and will be able to help Prochazka prepare for Glover's grappling. Jon also brings a couple additional benefits in that he has actually fought Glover before. While that was many years ago, being able to draw on actual experience with Glover in the cage and some things that he likes to do will be extremely valuable. It's been awhile and Glover is a much different fighter now, so that will be limited, but even a little thing here or there will be a nice little advantage to go in with, even if it is only a placebo. The main benefit to having Jon involved will be the ability to use him as a training partner. Jon is the 205 lbs GOAT with no one else being particularly close to him. Preparing for a title fight at that weight class with the best to ever do it is invaluable experience. If Prochazka can spar and train with Jon and have even some success, he will have to feel good going into the fight. If he's able to wrestle with a seemingly larger Jon Jones and be able to defend takedowns and get back up from bottom position, the confidence he'll have will be tremendous. Henry can teach him all of the grappling techniques, but being able to put them to use with someone his same size will be the true test of where he is.
This isn't the most exciting story, but I think it's actually a really big deal when that fight comes around. Jiri Prochazka is doing exactly what he needs to in order to be as prepared as possible for this fight. If Glover ends up winning, it won't be for a lack of preparation on Prochazka's end. Henry Cejudo and Jon Jones will have him prepared for all of the possible techniques and tactics that Glover likes to use. What do you guys think? This is a pretty big deal right? Who should be the favorite going into the fight? Who do you like to come out with the win? Leave any and all thoughts in the comments. Thanks for reading and have a good one.
Comments
Post a Comment