In 2019, Jiri Prochazka (30-5-1 MMA, 4-2 UFC) successfully defended his Rizin Light Heavyweight Championship in the promotion’s New Year’s Eve show, the last fight on his contract. A few weeks later, Prochazka, then out of contract with Rizin Fighting Federation, departed the promotion and turned his attention to the No. 1 organization in the world, the UFC.
After the UFC was forced to put live action on pause, like every other sports league in the civilized world, in March of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Prochazka made his promotional debut, sans live audience and on Fight Island in the United Arab Emirates, that July during UFC 251.