Jiri Prochaza vs. Navajo Stirling to headline UFC Qatar card filled with notables - MMA Junkie

The UFC is set to return to Qatar for the second time with a card full of former champions and title challengers.

The promotion announced Tuesday that former light heavyweight champ Jiri Prochazka will take on undefeated rising contender Navajo Stirling in the UFC Fight Night 294 main event at ABHA Arena in Doha (Paramount+). Another ex-champ vs. contender matchup is set to co-headline as Aljamain Sterling meets Kevin Vallejos in a featherweight bout.

Prochazka (32-6-1 MMA, 6-3 UFC) returns to the cage for the first time since a first-round knockout loss to 205-pound champ Carlos Ulberg this past April at UFC 327. The defeat was his third failed attempt to reclaim the title he won back in 2022 but never got to defend after vacating due to injury.

Stirling (11-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) has risen through the rankings since earning his way into the UFC through Dana White's Contender Series in 2024. Stirling has won his first six UFC appearances, including a most recent TKO of former champ Jan Blachowicz on Aug. 1.

Sterling (26-5 MMA, 18-5 UFC), a former champ at 135 pounds, is 3-1 since moving to 145 pounds. He enters UFC Fight Night 294 on the strength of back-to-back decision wins over Brian Ortega and Youssef Zalal.

Vallejos (18-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) has quickly made a name for himself after getting off to a 4-0 start in the UFC since earning his way through the Contender Series in 2024. He most recently TKO'd Josh Emmett in March.

In the featured bout, former featherweight title challenger Brian Ortega is set to meet Dan Hooker. Rounding out the main card are two more former title challengers, with Kyoji Horiguchi taking on Asu Almabayev at flyweight; and Jared Cannonier facing Ikram Aliskerov at middleweight.