Cain Velasquez, who has been sidelined since 2016 with injuries, will finally return to the Octagon next year. UFC president Dana White confirmed that the former UFC heavyweight will fight Francis Ngannou in a matchup that will headline UFC Fight Night on February 17.
The 36-year old Velsaquez (14-2) signed a new four-year contract with the UFC, according to ESPN's sources. Having undergone back surgery in 2017, Velasquez has not fought since July 2016. He defeated Travis Browne by TKO.
Ngannou (12-3), meanwhile, is coming off a 45-second knockout against Curtis Blaydes on November 24. He had lost his previous two fights against Stipe Miocic and Derrick Lewis.
February's UFC Fight Night will mark the first UFC main card to air exclusively on ESPN television. ESPN+, Disney's sports subscription streaming network, will air a UFC Fight Night main card on January 19 with a co-main event featuring Henry Cejudo vs T.J. Dillashaw and Paige VanZant vs Rachael Ostovich.