The upcoming UFC 327 fight between Jiří Procházka and Aleksandr Volkov, scheduled for April 11th in Miami, wasn’t the original plan. Promoter Novotný has revealed that a bout between Procházka and Khamzat Chimaev was heavily discussed and nearly finalized before circumstances shifted the landscape of the light heavyweight division. The revelation adds another layer of intrigue to Procházka’s return to the Octagon as he vies for a potential title shot.
The change in opponent stemmed from complications surrounding Jon Jones and his heavyweight title aspirations. According to Procházka, the situation revolved around the health of Ciryl Gane, and the subsequent impact on the heavyweight title picture. “It all revolved around Aspinall,” Procházka explained to iSport.cz. “I had information that they were waiting for an eye examination, surgery, and a verdict on whether he would be able to fight. This impacted the heavyweight division, leading to Pereira’s move and the title being vacated. That was the whole issue. I think it was almost two months in this state. They kept saying we’d grasp next week, which I passed on, but I felt like a fool. Eventually, I said I’d let everyone know when I had definitive information. I didn’t want to mislead anyone. The only thing that kept us going was faith.”
Despite the shifting landscape, Procházka remained focused on preparing for a fight, even as speculation swirled around potential opponents. “I roughly knew who I would be fighting. We were training for Ulberg, even though there were all sorts of speculations about Chimaev. Those were just red herrings,” he stated.
Novotný Stands by Claims of Near-Finalized Chimaev Fight
Novotný, however, went further, asserting that the Procházka-Chimaev matchup was more than just a possibility. “I’ll piss off a lot of people, including Jiří, but I don’t care. I simply don’t lie and I say things I have verified. When I said that Khamzat vs. Jiří was exceptionally close and that it was a done deal, I stand by that. The fact that Jiří doesn’t know… I discussed it with Karaivanov and we talked about things I won’t elaborate on. From my perspective, nothing has changed. From Chimaev’s side, it was a done deal. It’s actually just another fight in a row, only it was postponed because Strickland won and so on. It all just shifted,” Novotný said in an interview with Sherdog.
Novotný acknowledged that his information often comes from behind-the-scenes contacts within the MMA world. He suggested that the situation mirrors similar occurrences in the OKTAGON promotion, where fighters may be unaware of potential matchups that are under discussion. He believes the reaction to his statements is understandable, but maintains his position.
UFC 327: Procházka vs. Ulberg and Beyond
The UFC 327 card in Miami on April 11th features a compelling lineup, headlined by Jiří Procházka’s bout against Aleksandr Volkov. Other notable fights include: Van vs. Taira, Gamrot vs. Ribovics, Blaydes vs. Hokit, Holland vs. Brown, Pitbull vs. Pico, Reyes vs. Walker, Murzakanov vs. Costa, Suarez vs. Godinez, Swanson vs. Landwehr, Gastelum vs. Luque, and Alvidrez vs. Prado. The event promises a night of exciting action for MMA fans.
While Procházka is currently focused on Ulberg, the possibility of a future fight with Chimaev remains open. Whether that matchup materializes will depend on the outcomes of their respective fights and the evolving dynamics of the light heavyweight division. The question of who will emerge as the new light heavyweight champion remains a hot topic, with a fan vote currently underway (ending April 11, 2026, at 10:00 PM).
The situation highlights the often-complex negotiations and shifting plans that occur behind the scenes in professional MMA. As Procházka prepares for his fight against Ulberg, fans will be watching closely to see if he can continue his climb towards another title opportunity. The light heavyweight division remains a volatile and unpredictable landscape, and the coming months promise to be filled with exciting developments.
Stay tuned to archyde.com for continued coverage of UFC 327 and the latest news from the world of MMA. Share your thoughts on the potential Procházka-Chimaev matchup in the comments below.
