Kiwi UFC fighter Dan Hooker has booked the biggest fight of his career, squaring off against former interim lightweight champion no 3-ranked Dustin Poirier on June 28 (NZ time) in Las Vegas.
Last month, Newshub reported the pair had verbally agreed to a fight, but the contract has officially been signed and the five-round contest will take place at the UFC's Apex facility in Las Vegas.
Hooker is currently the fifth-ranked contender in the UFC's lightweight division, having defeated Paul Felder in Auckland earlier this year.
Ranked third in the lightweight division, Poirier is coming off a stoppage loss against champion Khabib Nurmagomedov last September, but has won nine of his last 11 fights.
'The Diamond' had campaigned for a showdown with Irish star Conor McGregor, but 'The Notorious' is reportedly set for a third fight against Nate Diaz.
A win for Hooker would propel 'The Hangman' into automatic title contention, and a probable championship tilt against the winner of Nurmagomedov and American Justin Gaethje, who are scheduled to do battle later in the year.
"This is an important fight for both guys," UFC boss Dana White said. "Obviously Poirier wants to get a shot at that title and Hooker, if he comes in and beats Poirier, he's finally arrived.
"He's one of the top five guys in the world and on his way to a possible title fight."
Hooker, 30, has won seven of his last eight fights and had a UFC record of 10-4.
