A fighter who scored a highlight-reel KO on his UFC debut is already targeting the title

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A fighter who scored a highlight-reel KO on his UFC debut is already targeting the title
Jiri Prochazka nailed Volkan Oezdemir in the second round.Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
  • Jiri Prochazka finished a former UFC title challenger within two rounds at UFC 251 on Saturday.
  • Prochazka finished Volkan Oezdemir with a hard right hand, leaving his opponent needing minutes on the floor to finally regain his senses.
  • After the knockout win, Prochazka, who was making his UFC debut, already has a title shot in his crosshairs.
  • "I want to fight [again] very soon because I want to take the title," Prochazka said.
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FIGHT ISLAND — Jiri Prochazka's second round knockout over Volkan Oezdemir at UFC 251 on Saturday was seen to be so much fun that the UFC commentator Jon Anik said "welcome to the big show" when it ended.

Prochazka was even awarded with a $50,000 check as a "performance of the night" bonus — a testament to how resounding the finish was.

The right hand which rocked Oezdemir sent him down for well beyond the count, as it took minutes for him to recover and regain his senses.

Though it was Prochazka's first ever fight for the world's premier mixed martial arts organization, the Czech fighter brought with him a champion's status from the Japanese MMA firm Rizin Fighting Federation.

And that background, together with the knockout win over Oezdemir, could be enough to propel him toward the top of the UFC's light heavyweight rankings.

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If it does, Prochazka hopes it's not long before he earns a title shot.

"I want to fight [again] very soon because I want to take the title," Prochazka said after his win at the Flash Forum on "Fight Island."

"That's my mission. But I also need to work on my performances. I made some mistakes. So let's go. I respect everyone. Whoever they give me, I will fight with him, I just want to show my art.

"'Fight Island' is an amazing place," Prochazka said of the quarantined area on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.

"Dana White and his team made something amazing. This is amazing and I'm very glad to be part of it."

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