Israel Adesanya has become the latest Kiwi to sign on with MMA's premier promotion.
The Nigerian-born Aucklander will take on Australian Rob Wilkinson at UFC 221 in Perth in February.
In Las Vegas helping City Kickboxing teammate Dan Hooker prepare for his UFC 219 bout this weekend, the 28-year-old seized the opportunity to meet with UFC representatives and put pen to paper on a contract.
Adesanya becomes the fourth New Zealander among the organisation's ranks, joining Hooker, Shane Young, Luke Jumeau, and Mark Hunt.
Known as "The Style Bender", Adesanya has enjoyed a prolific career across all manner of combat sports, excelling as a kickboxer (75-4) and boxer (5-1) before making the switch to MMA.
He's since unbeaten through 11 fights, forging a reputation as a devastating finisher on his way to becoming the middleweight champion of Australian promotion Hex Fight Series.
One of his most notable victims to date is UFC veteran Melvin Guillard, who he dispatched in the first round of their July bout in Melbourne with an onslaught of strikes.
His opponent, Tasmania-based Wilkinson, has had just one fight himself in the UFC, losing via technical knock-out to Siyar Bahadurzada in Amsterdam back in September.
The first of its kind to take place in Western Australia, the event will be headlined by New Zealand-born Rob Whittaker's middleweight title defence against Luke Rockhold and also features South Auckland heavyweight Mark Hunt against Curts Blaydes.
Stablemate Hooker has also expressed interest in making an appearance on the card in Perth, telling Newshub he'd happily make the short turnaround from his New Year's Eve (UST) bout.
"If they want me to fight every weekend, I'll be there," said Hooker prior to departing to the US.
"Give me six weeks, that's a lifetime. Two training camps for one fight? That's a blessing. You don't know how hard these things are.
"If I can get a quick turnaround and jump on Perth I'll be all over it."
Newshub.
