Sean Strickland is set to make his return to the Octagon for the first time since losing the middleweight title earlier this year.
The former 185-pound champion will face Paulo Costa at UFC 302 in June, Dana White announced early Sunday.
Strickland is coming off a split decision loss to Dricus Du Plessis in the UFC 297 main event in January. The 33-year-old American was unable to defend the title after defeating longtime champion Israel Adesanya at UFC 203 this past September.
Costa recently returned to action after an 18-month layoff. The one-time middleweight title challenger lost a three-round decision to Robert Whittaker at UFC 298 in February. The Brazilian has lost three of four since 2020 after beginning his MMA career 13-0.
The bout is scheduled for five rounds despite not being a main event or title fight. It will serve as the co-main event to a lightweight title bout between reigning champion Islam Makhachev and challenger Dustin Poirier. UFC 302 takes place in Newark, N.J.