Jiri Prochazka finds solace in darkness, but only when it’s within the confines of his indoor surroundings. However, the memory of a chilling outdoor incident from a year ago still lingers, leaving him with a tangible reminder in the form of his toe.
Reflecting on this unsettling experience during a recent interview with AllStar Sport, Prochazka recounted the harrowing moments when he found himself disoriented and virtually blind in the wilderness near Las Vegas. Despite his expertise in handling darkness, this outdoor scare left a lasting impact, serving as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of nature.
“I wanted to go to the Las Vegas Mountains, and I found some top edge like Mount Charleston. So … I went there, and then I realized, I need some more better shoes, better jacket. So I went back, I bought all these things like ski shoes and leather jacket, the Garmin watch, all these things.
“But what was wrong was that I didn’t watch the map well, because the map showed me it’s just [a hike] for a few hours, like maybe six hours. After six hours of walking high altitude, then I realized that I have to come back, or I need to hurry to the end. So I just decided to make it.
“It took me more than 16, 18 hours. And I forgot to take the light with me, because I thought it will be just for six hours. Then I got lost on this mountain.”
Fortunately, Prochazka managed to navigate his way back to safety, albeit with a newfound appreciation for the dangers of the wilderness. Upon returning to his car, he conducted a thorough self-assessment, checking for any injuries incurred during his ordeal.
“I went back [home], and next day, I realized that my toe on my left leg is a little bit black. “So I had frostbite, and right now, I feel it’s completely healed, but it took my nails [falling out], and it took six months to [grow] a full new nail and to feel better balance in the leg.”
Despite the physical and mental challenges posed by this wilderness misadventure, Prochazka remains undeterred in his pursuit of success in the octagon. Even after falling short in his bid to reclaim the UFC light heavyweight title in his recent bout against Alex Pereira at UFC 295, he remains resilient and determined to forge ahead.
Known for his unorthodox training methods, including striking trees and embracing sensory deprivation, Prochazka approaches each challenge with the mindset of a modern-day samurai. While the wilderness ordeal evoked feelings of fear, he views it as an integral part of his personal growth and development.
As he prepares to face Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 300, Prochazka remains steadfast in his commitment to overcome obstacles, both inside and outside the cage. Through adversity, he finds strength, embodying the ethos of resilience and determination.
Was he frightened? Undoubtedly. However, he appended, “the fear is the part of ourselves.”
Check out the interview below.
Near death experience?!
Jiri Prochazka (@jiri_bjp) got lost alone while hiking Mount Charleston near Las Vegas in early 2023 during winter and suffered frostbite. The hike was only supposed to be 6 hours but it turned into a 18 hour ordeal. @TheAllStarSport
— Hyon Ko (@KoreanJohn_) March 14, 2024
