A light heavyweight division attraction is coming to UFC 251 as #7 Volkan Oezdemir faces Jiri Prochazka.
Brett Okamoto of ESPN first reported the news, but the bout’s spot on the card isn’t known at this time.
Oezdemir (17-4-0) enters the contest riding a two fight winning streak, defeating the duo of Ilir Latifi and Aleksandar Rakic. Oezdemir has previously challenged for the UFC Light Heavyweight Title, losing to then champion Daniel Cormier at UFC 220. Oezdemir hasn’t picked up a win on a UFC pay-per-view card in almost three years, with that last victory coming at UFC 214 in July of 2017.
Prochazka (26-3-1) is making his UFC debut in this bout and does so on the strength of a ten fight winning streak. Prochazka is a former Rizin Light Heavyweight Champion, but he relinquished the gold upon signing with the UFC earlier this year. Prochazka has competed thirty times as a professional MMA fighter and just three of those bouts went the distance.
UFC 251 takes place on Saturday, July 11 from a location to be announced and with a main event to be announced. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.
