Prochazka walks into stinging nettles as part of bushido-inspired training ritual

Jiri Prochazka has taken his famously unorthodox preparation to a new extreme, deliberately walking into a bush of stinging nettles as part of a bushido-inspired ceremonial ritual. The former UFC light heavyweight champion shared the practice on Instagram, framing it as a seasonal rite of purification rather than a conventional conditioning drill.

Stinging nettles are covered in sharp bristles that inject irritant compounds into the skin, producing a burning and tingling sensation that can persist for hours. Prochazka, who goes by the nickname “BJP”, says enduring a full night of that discomfort is the point. “A ceremonial strengthening with nettles to mark the end of spring and the beginning of summer,” he wrote. “All night, body tingling, but the next day, one feels cleansed and reborn.”

The ritual is consistent with a training philosophy that has long set Prochazka apart from his peers. The Czech fighter has previously been filmed sparring blindfolded, swimming beneath a frozen lake, and performing 40-second sprints while holding his breath — methods rooted in the samurai bushido code he openly embraces.

The 32-year-old carries a professional record of 32-6 and has finished all six of his UFC victories. His only losses inside the octagon have come against Alex Pereira and, most recently, Carlos Ulberg. At UFC 327 in April, Prochazka appeared on the verge of stopping Ulberg with leg kicks before the New Zealander rallied to finish him in the first round, denying Prochazka a shot at reclaiming the vacant light heavyweight title.

No next fight has been announced, but the nettle ritual suggests Prochazka is already deep into his preparation for whatever comes next.