Czech MMA star Jiří Procházka wins UFC main event in Las Vegas

After only two matches in the UFC, Czech MMA star Jiří Procházka is about to compete for a title.

The light heavyweight knocked out opponent Dominick Reyes in convincing fashion on Saturday night with a spinning back elbow that immediately sent Reyes to the mat.

The blow stunned announcers during the fight, and Procházka reacted to the knockdown during a post-fight interview while draping himself with a Czech flag.

"After some counter-punches from Dominick, I had no chance to think of a plan," Procházka said.

"But I was just in the flow, and after that... maybe the spinning elbow, yeah, that's right, let's try it."

The fight was the main event at UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas yesterday, and Procházka became the first Czech fighter to ever compete in a UFC main event.

UFC head Dana White previously stated that the winner of the Reyes-Procházka fight would get a crack at the next light heavyweight title match to be scheduled.

The current holder of the UFC light heavyweight title is Poland's Jan Błachowicz, who defeated Reyes in a title match last year. He'll defend his title against Brazil's Glover Teixeira in September at UFC 266.

The winner of that fight is on track to be Procházka's next opponent.

Procházka previously competed in the Japanese Rizin Fighting Federation, where he held the title of Light Heavyweight Champion. He vacated the title when he signed with UFC in early 2020.

In Procházka's only other UFC appearance, he knocked out Swiss fighter Volkan Oezdemir in the second round.

Unlike some of the UFC's more bombastic personalities, Procházka comes across as more humble and spiritual outside of the Octagon. Local media refer to the fighter as the "Czech Samurai".

"I just want to say hello to the Czech Republic, to all my fans in the world, everywhere, thank you," Procházka said after the fight.

"I just want to share the beauty of martial arts."