Dos Santos to face Ngannou at UFC 215
Junior dos Santos is headed north in pursuit of a much-needed win.
The former heavyweight champion will take on the surging Francis Ngannou on Sept. 9 at UFC 215 in Edmonton, Alberta, the promotion confirmed Wednesday.
The matchup had previously been in the works for an ill-fated pay-per-view card slated for Aug. 19, but the behemoths will instead square off at Rogers Place on the UFC's maiden voyage to the Canadian city.
Related: Edmonton show becomes UFC 215 after planned August event canceled
Dos Santos' UFC run has been rather streaky since he lost the heavyweight crown to Cain Velasquez in December 2012, having alternated wins and losses over six subsequent walks to the Octagon. In his most recent outing, "Cigano" was knocked out by reigning king Stipe Miocic within one round at UFC 211.
As for Ngannou, the lauded prospect gets a massive step up in competition in his sixth UFC bout. "The Predator" has stopped all five of his UFC opponents and was last seen trouncing another former champion in Andrei Arlovski in just 92 seconds at UFC on FOX 23.
Also added to the September card is a light heavyweight tilt between Ilir Latifi and Tyson Pedro, ranked ninth and 12th, respectively.
UFC 215 is as of yet without a main event.