Prochazka vs Stirling by the Numbers: Breaking Down UFC Fight Night Doha

UFC Fight Night hits ABHA Arena in Doha on November 21, and the top of the card is a study in contrasts: a finisher against an unbeaten contender, a grappler against a puncher, a submission specialist against a rangy striker. Prelims start at 6 p.m. local time, with the main card at 9 p.m. Here's the breakdown.

Jiří Procházka vs Navajo Stirling, light heavyweight. Procházka (#2, 32-6-1) is a finisher, plain and simple: 28 knockout wins, 23 first-round finishes and 88% of his wins coming by KO/TKO. In the UFC he lands 5.61 significant strikes per minute and averages 0.81 knockdowns, better than Stirling's mark. The trade-off is how much he gives back: 5.67 absorbed per minute, more than he lands, with just 45% significant-strike defense. Stirling (#5, 11-0) is five years younger, made his Octagon debut in December 2024 and has never lost as a pro. He works at a higher clip, landing 6.47 significant strikes per minute, and absorbs only 2.56, less than half Procházka's rate, with 58% striking defense.

The tale of the tape is close to even. Procházka has a one-inch reach edge, 80 inches to 79, while Stirling stands an inch taller at 6-foot-4. Neither man leans on grappling. Procházka averages 0.49 takedowns per 15 minutes, while Stirling has yet to attempt a submission in the UFC and has no submission wins. Both defend takedowns well: 68% and 71%, respectively. More than three-quarters of each fighter's significant strikes land standing (78% and 77%), and their average fight times, 10:15 and 10:24, sit just past the two-round mark. This one should be settled on the feet: can Procházka's power crack Stirling's defense before the younger man's volume makes him pay for leaving himself open?

• Aljamain Sterling vs Kevin Vallejos, featherweight. This is grappler vs striker in its purest form. "Funk Master" (#4, 26-5) averages 2.54 takedowns and 0.64 submission attempts per 15 minutes, owns eight submission wins, and 58% of his wins have come by decision. His fights average 14:23. "El Chino" (#9, 17-1) is 13 years younger, with 13 knockout wins, nine first-round finishes and a 1.65 knockdown average. His fights last an average of just 7:36. Vallejos brings 85% takedown defense into the matchup; Sterling brings a three-inch reach edge, 71 to 68.
• Dan Hooker vs Brian Ortega, lightweight. "The Hangman" (#13, 24-15) holds a six-inch reach advantage, 75 to 69, and lands 4.82 significant strikes per minute. "T-City" (16-5) trails on the feet, landing just 37% of his significant strikes and absorbing 6.38 per minute, but half of his 16 wins have come by submission and he attempts 0.93 per 15 minutes. At range the numbers favor Hooker; on the mat, Ortega has his opening, if he can get the fight there against a man who stops 77% of takedown attempts.
• Jared Cannonier vs Ikram Aliskerov, middleweight. At 42, "Tha Killa Gorilla" (#11, 18-10) is still ranked. He has 11 knockout wins and is used to long nights, averaging 13:57 per fight. Aliskerov (#13, 18-2) is nine years younger and gets his work done much faster: a 6:10 average fight time, eight first-round finishes and a 1.04 knockdown average. His 61% striking accuracy is the best of the eight fighters featured here, and he has stopped every takedown attempt in the UFC (100%). Cannonier has the marginally longer reach, 77.5 inches to 76.

The prelims and main card run back to back, so if you want to catch it all, plan to be in your seat by 6 p.m., not 9. Grab your seats: Prochazka vs Stirling tickets for Nov. 21.