Kenny Florian defeated Clay Guida at UFC 107 in December.

THE CANADIAN PRESS

LAS VEGAS -- As Sportsnet first reported two weeks ago, Japanese lightweight star Takanori Gomi will make his UFC debut March 31 against veteran Kenny Florian in Charlotte, N.C.

The "UFC Fight Night" card, to be televised live on Spike TV, will take place at the Bojangles Coliseum.

The show will be followed by the opening of Season 11 of "The Ultimate Fighter."

Known as "The Fireball Kid," Gomi (31-5) is a former Shooto welterweight champion and was the last man to hold the lightweight title in Pride.

The 31-year-old has a win over Jens Pulver and a loss to current UFC lightweight title-holder B.J. Penn.

Gomi is 2-2 in his last four outings.

Florian (14-4) has twice lost UFC title shots -- to Sean Sherk and, most recently, Penn at UFC 101. He is coming off a win over Clay Guida at UFC 107 in December.

Notes -- Joey (The Mexecutioner) Beltran (10-3) has replaced Mostapha Al Turk and will meet Rolles Gracie (3-0) on the preliminary card of UFC 109 Saturday. Al Turk, a Briton, reportedly had visa issues. Beltran is coming off a TKO win over Houston (The Assassin) Alexander on a smaller circuit