The UFC is close to finalizing the promotional debut of former RIZIN light heavyweight champion [autotag]Jiri Prochazka[/autotag].
If all goes according to plan, Prochazka (26-3-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) will make his first UFC walk July 11 against former UFC light heavyweight title challenger [autotag]Volkan Oezdemir[/autotag].
The event does not have an official location but falls under the timeframe UFC president Dana White has laid out for “Fight Island.”
A person with knowledge of the situation recently informed MMA Junkie of the targeted booking but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. ESPN was first to report the news.
Before the coronavirus pandemic, Oezdemir (17-4 MMA, 5-3 UFC) vs. Prochazka already was being targeted for a summer event. However, due to travel restrictions, the bout was tabled during uncertain times.
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Oezdemir, 30, has won back-to-back fights against Ilir Latifi and Aleksander Rakic entering his July 11 matchup.
As for Prochazka, before his UFC signing, many thought he’d eventually face Bellator light heavyweight champion Ryan Bader given the promotion’s closeness to RIZIN.
As recently as early January, Bader called for a matchup against the surging 205 pounder. Instead, Prochazka, who is riding a 10-fight winning streak, signed with the UFC.
With the addition, the current lineup includes:
- Amanda Ribas vs. Paige VanZant
- Frankie Edgar vs. Pedro Munhoz
- Shamil Abdurakhimov vs. Ciryl Gane
- Volkan Oezdemir vs. Jiri Prochazka
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