Kiwi UFC fighter Dan Hooker will return to the octagon just 35 days after his victory over Nasrat Haqparast, confirmed to face Islam Makhachev on October 30.
UFC president Dana White confirmed to ESPN that the Kiwi will fight Makhachev at UFC 267, to be held in Abu Dhabi.
Hooker will take the place of Rafael dos Anjos against Makhachev, who was originally intended to face the Russian fighter, only to be forced out with injury.
Makhachev boasts a record of 20 victories - with nine submissions and three knockouts - and one defeat. The 30-year-old is currently on an eight-fight winning streak.
Hooker, 31, defeated Haqparast by a unanimous decision at UFC 266 in Las Vegas on Sunday - despite a turbulent build-up that only saw him arrive in the US days before his fight due to visa issues.
That win moved him to sixth in the UFC's lightweight rankings, with Makhachev ranked one spot ahead of him in fifth.
After Sunday's win, Hooker called out third-ranked Beneil Dariush of the US, but will instead face Makhachev.
UFC 267 will be headlined by the light-heavyweight title fight between champion Jan Blachowciz and Glover Teixeira.
