UFC: Dominick Reyes vs. Jiri Prochazka Face Off on February 27

Dominick Reyes UFC 253
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - SEPTEMBER 25: Dominick Reyes poses on the scale during the UFC 253 weigh-in on September 25, 2020 at Flash Forum on UFC Fight Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

A light heavyweight clash will be headlining a UFC Fight Night on February 27 as former title challenger Dominick Reyes is scheduled to face fifth ranked Jiri Prochazka.

Per Brett Okamoto of ESPN, UFC President Dana White has made another main event official for 2021.  Just five weeks removed from challenging for the UFC light heavyweight championship, Dominick Reyes (12-2) is scheduled for another bout as he is set to face Jiri Prochazka (27-3-1) on February 27.

Following his razor close contest with Jon Jones in February, many felt that Dominick Reyes was the uncrowned king of the division going into his match-up with Jan Blachowicz in September.  However, the Polish powerhouse would not be denied as he brutally stopped Reyes in the second round and handed him his second loss in a row.  This time without controversy, Reyes’ undefeated run was officially snapped after having gone 12-0 to open his career with wins over the likes of Jared Cannonier, Ovince Saint Preux, Chris Weidman, and Volkan Oezdemir.

Jiri Prochazka is on an eleven fight win-streak that goes back to his time in RIZIN in Japan where he is a former champion.  Having also fought for Gladiator Championship Fighting in the past, “Denisa” made his UFC debut at the inaugural event on Fight Island in July where he announced his presence to the division with a first round knockout over former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir.  The victory added to his resume that includes victories over Bellator veteran Muhammad Lawal and UFC veteran C.B. Dollaway.  The fight moved the Czech Republic product to 27-3-1 and immediately put him at number five in the UFC’s official rankings.

The February 27 card is expected to be a Fight Night event though no other bouts or location have been given.  Notably, UFC President Dana White has said that a return to Abu Dhabi’s “Fight Island” is likely to take place in January or February which could open the door for the event taking place there considering Prochazka’s residence in the Czech Republic.