C.B. Dollaway’s run with the UFC has come to an end but the former Ultimate Fighter finalist won’t have to wait long for his next opportunity after booking a title fight against reigning RIZIN light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka on Dec. 31 in Japan.
The fight was announced by RIZIN on Tuesday with additional sources confirming the matchup to MMA Fighting.
The news comes after Dollaway exits the UFC following an 11 year run with the promotion, which is where he’s spent the majority of his fighting career. The 36-year-old former wrestler was just recently handed a two-year suspension from USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) after testing positive for multiple banned substances.
According to USADA, Dollaway tested positive for anastrozole as well as GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 from an out-of-competition drug test administered on Dec. 19, 2018. He also tested positive for clomiphene in a different out-of-competition test from Feb. 9, 2019. Dollaway also received an over-the-limit IV infusion on Dec. 13, 2018, which went against the UFC’s anti-doping policy.
The end result was a two-year suspension backdated to Dec. 13, 2018.
Dollaway would be eligible to return to action after Dec. 13, 2020 but because RIZIN doesn’t recognize suspensions handed down from an American agency like USADA, he will be able to compete for them on the upcoming New Year’s Eve card in Japan.
Dollaway is 2-1 in his past three fights including wins over Ed Herman and Hector Lombard, the latter of which came by disqualification after the former Bellator champion was disqualified for late punches after the bell.
The former UFC contender will face Prochazka with the RIZIN title on the line as the Czech native looks to build on nine fight win streak including victories over Fabio Maldonado, “King Mo” Lawal and Brandon Halsey.
Prochazka vs. Dollaway is the latest addition to the year-end RIZIN card that will also feature several prominent Bellator vs. RIZIN matchups on the same night.