Ben Askren knew Jiri Prochazka would lose when he started ‘to worry about witchcraft’ ahead of UFC 303

farah hannoun

Thu, 4 Jul 2024, 7:40 pm·10-min read

Ben Askren thinks Jiri Prochazka’s head wasn’t in the right space going into UFC 303.

Prochazka (30-5-1 MMA, 4-2 UFC) was knocked out by light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira (11-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) in their title-rematch this past Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

In the lead-up to the fight, Prochazka pleaded with Pereira to not seek spiritual help from Shamans, and to fight in a pure and clean way. On his “Funky and the Champ” show with Daniel Cormier, Askren knew that mindset would lead to Prochazka’s downfall.

“I hate it,” Askren said of Prochazka’s thoughts leading into UFC 303. “If you start talking like that, that is a clear sign you’re going to get your ass kicked. If you’re starting to worry about witchcraft, no, you’re done. You’re not going to win.

“I said, ‘Listen, if he’s worrying about witchcraft, this is going to be over quick. He’s going to get knocked out,’ and that’s what happened. … When you get that far, it’s a little too far. I said it – I hate this. I hate the fact he was thinking about this kind of stuff. If you think about that type of stuff, it’s probably over for you.”

Prochazka was visibly distraught after his second title loss to Pereira, prompting him to say that if he doesn’t evolve, he won’t fight again.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 303.

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Jiri Prochazka UFC 303 press conference

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Alex Pereira UFC 303 press conference

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Jiri Prochazka UFC 303 press conference

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Alex Pereira UFC 303 press conference

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Jiri Prochazka UFC 303 press conference

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Alex Pereira UFC 303 press conference

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Alex Pereira vs Jiri Prochazka press conference faceoff UFC 303

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Alex Pereira UFC 303 press conference

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Jiri Prochazka - UFC 303 ceremonial weigh-ins

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Alex Pereira - UFC 303 ceremonial weigh-ins

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Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka

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Jiri Prochazka and Joe Rogan - UFC 303 ceremonial weigh-ins

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Alex Pereira and Joe Rogan - UFC 303 ceremonial weigh-ins

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MMA: UFC 303 - Pereira vs Prochazka

Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves) prepares to fight Alex Pereira…

Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves) prepares to fight Alex Pereira (not pictured) during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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MMA: UFC 303 - Pereira vs Prochazka

Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) prepares to fight Jiri Prochazka…

Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) prepares to fight Jiri Prochazka (not pictured) during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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MMA: UFC 303 - Pereira vs Prochazka

Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) fights Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves)…

Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) fights Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves) during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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MMA: UFC 303 - Pereira vs Prochazka

Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) fights Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves)…

Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) fights Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves) during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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MMA: UFC 303 - Pereira vs Prochazka

Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) fights Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves)…

Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) fights Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves) during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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Alex Pereira def. Jiri Prochazka, UFC 303 5 (Per)

Alex Pereira def. Jiri Prochazka, UFC 303

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Alex Pereira def. Jiri Prochazka, UFC 303 2 (Per)

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MMA: UFC 303 - Pereira vs Prochazka

Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) fights Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves)…

Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) fights Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves) during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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MMA: UFC 303 - Pereira vs Prochazka

Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) fights Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves)…

Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) fights Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves) during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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MMA: UFC 303 - Pereira vs Prochazka

Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) reacts after defeating Jiri Prochazka…

Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) reacts after defeating Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves) during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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Alex Pereira def. Jiri Prochazka, UFC 303 1 (UFC)

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MMA: UFC 303 - Pereira vs Prochazka

Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves) is helped after losing to…

Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves) is helped after losing to Alex Pereira (not pictured) during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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Alex Pereira def. Jiri Prochazka, UFC 303 3 (Per)

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MMA: UFC 303 - Pereira vs Prochazka

Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves) is helped after losing to…

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MMA: UFC 303 - Pereira vs Prochazka

Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) reacts after defeating Jiri Prochazka…

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Alex Pereira def. Jiri Prochazka, UFC 303 4 (Per)

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MMA: UFC 303 - Pereira vs Prochazka

Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Alex Pereira (red gloves) reacts after defeating Jiri Prochazka…

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MMA: UFC 303 - Pereira vs Prochazka

Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves) reacts after losing to Alex…

Jun 29, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Jiri Prochazka (blue gloves) reacts after losing to Alex Pereira (red gloves) during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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Alex Pereira def. Jiri Prochazka, UFC 303 Scorecard

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Story originally appeared on MMA Junkie

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