Jiri Prochazka may not yet be a household name for the American MMA market, but it certainly appears he’s got a strong fanbase back in his home country. The 29-year-old captured UFC gold in just his third trip to the Octagon this past Saturday, at UFC 275, when he defeated champion Glover Teixeira via 5th round submission.
That victory marks the fastest rise to the UFC’s light heavyweight title since ‘Rampage’ Jackson won the belt in 2007—the same year he made his UFC debut. Frank Shamrock is the only other man to do it quicker, winning a title in his first fight with the promotion at UFC Japan.