Report: UFC signs RIZIN light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka

Jiri Prochazka is UFC-bound.

According to a report by ESPN on Wednesday, (26-3-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC), the current RIZIN light heavyweight champion, has signed with the UFC.

Hailing from Czech Republic, Prochazka tore through the regional scene en route to signing with RIZIN in 2015.

In the 2015 RIZIN World Championship grand prix, Prochazka finished Vadim Nemkov and Satoshi Ishii leading up to a tournament final showdown against Muhammed Lawal. “King Mo” defeated Prochazka by first-round knockout.

Since his loss to Lawal in 2015, Prochazka has won all 10 of his fights. Among said victories, Prochazka has defeated UFC veterans C.B. Dollaway and Fabio Maldonado, as well as former Bellator titleholder Brandon Halsey.

At RIZIN 15 in April 2019, Prochazka avenged his loss to Lawal. The 27-year-old Czech fighter finished Lawal by third-round knockout.

Prochazka’s recent win streak led many to believe he’d eventually face Bellator light heavyweight champion Ryan Bader, especially given the promotion’s closeness to RIZIN.

As recently as early January 2020, Bader called for a matchup against the surging 205-pounder. In a tweet following Prochazka’s RIZIN 20 win over Dollaway, Bader issued his challenge via Instagram:

“Congrats @jirkaprochazka ‪We couldn’t make it happen in @rizin_PR so let’s do this in the @bellatormma cage. LHW title on the line ‬”

However, Prochazka elected to go in a different direction and sign with the UFC. No opponent or date has been revealed for Prochazka’s debut.