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UFC star sits in a dark room for three days without food to prepare for fights

UFC star sits in a dark room for three days without food to prepare for fights

"That’s all in darkness for three days, and there you can work with your demons and train what you want."

Jiri Prochazka's unique training methods are pretty well documented.

From punching a tree 500 times a day to growing a Samurai-style ponytail ahead of his wars in the octagon, the UFC champion really goes above and beyond when it comes to being a mixed martial artist.

But it turns out his methodology is even more extreme than we first thought.

The light heavyweight world champ has shed some more light on his pre-fight rituals, revealing he sits in a dark room by himself and goes without food for 72 hours – all in a bid to confront his "demons".

Those three days locked away in a pitch black room is all a form of meditation.

And yes, that means the only thing entering his body during that time is water.

Prochazka credits that sensory deprivation for helping him get his body and mind in shape ahead of his bouts.

Instragram/jirkaprochazka

"That’s all in darkness for three days, and there you can work with your demons and train what you want," he told The MMA Hour.

"I don’t want to talk about a lot, because that’s like my personal things."

He added: "That’s the biggest fun, because you have to go to the point where time is ending, and I can’t speak about that, because it’s so, not intense, for me, these things are so personal... and holy."


For the vast majority of us, the prospect of spending even 10 minutes alone with our thoughts is petrifying.

But for the Czech star, he absolutely loves it.

"It’s very helpful. There is just you and you. No other people. That was my first time when I did that without food, so just with water. It’s much more strong when you’re without food," he said.

"All the processes in your body is much stronger. Your mind’s working a lot, and you have to die here first.

"And three days, four days, that’s not so much.

"But I’m using that just to recognise who I am really, and then I can start training and pushing to the next level with truly me, more honestly."

Featured Image Credit: Instragram/jirkaprochazka

Topics: Australia, MMA, UFC