Jiri Prochaska’s Adventure in the Mountains Resulted in a ‘Slightly Black’ Toe

Jiri Prochazka is accustomed to spending days in darkness, but typically indoors.

The former UFC light heavyweight champion still bears the consequences of a frightening outdoor episode that left him disoriented in the wild near Las Vegas a year ago. Evidence of this experience remains visible on his toes.

Discussing his trek, Prochaska shared, “I wanted to explore the Las Vegas Mountains and decided to summit the highest peak, like Mount Charleston. Realizing I needed better gear, I returned to purchase ski shoes, leather jackets, Garmin watches, and other essentials.”

However, things took a turn when he misjudged the duration of the hike. After walking for hours at high altitude, he faced the dilemma of either turning back or pushing on to the end. Resolved to continue, he soon found himself lost on the mountain.

Ultimately, Prochaska, set to battle Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 300, managed to find his way back to safety. Upon returning home, he discovered frostbite on his toes. Despite a full recovery, his toenails fell out and took six months to regrow entirely.

In November, Prochaska made his comeback in the cage but was unable to regain the light heavyweight title he had previously held. His unorthodox training methods and resilience have defined his career, including challenging episodes like his wilderness mishap, which, despite its difficulties, he embraced akin to a modern samurai.

Was he scared during the ordeal? Undoubtedly. However, he acknowledges, “fear is part of who we are.”

For more insights, watch the interview below.