Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jiri Prochazka is arguably one of the most exciting fighters in the promotion today. The 32-year-old makes sure to entertain his fans with his action-packed performances.
During his time in the multi-billion dollar promotion, Prochazka has been a part of just seven UFC fights but has taken home six UFC bonuses – one of them being worth $300,000. He recently revealed that he was offered a fight at UFC 317, but had to turn it down. Prochazka’s reason for the same is as bizarre as it gets.
Jiri Prochazka Turned Down the Offer To Compete at UFC 317
UFC CEO Dana White recently announced a plethora of fights, many of which have been scheduled for UFC 317. One name that was missing from these fight announcements was of Prochazka.
“Denisa” recently shared that he was offered a fight for the highly anticipated fight card. But he revealed that he had to turn the offer down in order to focus on his university exams.
🚨| Jiri Prochazka has revealed he was offered a fight at #UFC317 recently but had to turn it down as he is focused on finishing his university exams. 🎓
Prochazka would like to return around August/September. 📅
[via @sportcz] pic.twitter.com/g5FeeUhQ7L— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit)
Prochazka was last seen in action in January 2025 when he went up against Jamahal Hill in a light heavyweight showdown at UFC 311. The event was held at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
Prochazka proved himself to be the better fighter that night and finished Hill via. knockout in the third round of the contest. He was awarded a “Performance of the Night” bonus worth $50,000 for his efforts.
Which Fighters Are Competing on the UFC 317 Card?
UFC 317 is all set to culminate the International Fight Week on June 28. The fight card will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
One of the biggest fights announced by White for the event featured former UFC champions Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira. In the main event, the two athletes will lock horns for the vacant lightweight throne. This means that the current lightweight king Islam Makhachev will relinquish the title and move up to welterweight.
The co-main event will feature another title clash in the form of Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Kara-France.
View this post on Instagram
Beneil Dariush, whose last UFC fight was in December 2023, will also make a comeback on June 28 and go toe-to-toe against Renato Moicano, who is coming off a title fight loss against Makhachev.
After a one-year hiatus, former UFC middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa will also return to the Octagon and face off against Roman Kopylov.
Apart from these fights, several other prominent names like Brandon Royval, Manel Kape, Jack Hermansson, Gregory Rodrigues, Justin Tafa and Tracy Cortez will also compete on the UFC 317 card on International Fight Week.