Robert Whittaker will co-headline UFC 284 at Perth's RAC Arena early next year when he battles Brazilian Paulo Costa, the UFC has confirmed.
The card has yet to be finalised but former middleweight champion Whittaker and Costa have agreed to fight over three rounds on February 12, in what will likely be the co-main event.
"Whittaker versus Costa is an absolute barn burner and a fantastic first addition to UFC 284," said Peter Kloczko, UFC Vice President of Australia and New Zealand. "Currently the number one contender at middleweight, Whittaker was Australia's first ever UFC champion and remains one of the biggest PPV draws in Australia.
"We are thrilled to have him compete on home soil and against such an exciting opponent. [It's] a match-up with 'Fight of the Night' potential and will be hugely anticipated by our fans."
Whittaker's last fight was in September where he beat Marvin Vettori by unanimous decision. Prior to that, he came up short against Israel Adesanya in the pair's middleweight rematch in Houston at the beginning of the year.
Meanwhile, Costa appeared at UFC 278 in August, defeating Luke Rockhold by unanimous decision.