UFC on Fox 18 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey will be headlined by a light heavyweight contender bout between Anthony "Rumble" Johnson (20-5) and Ryan "Darth" Bader (21-4).
The winner of the fight will likely get a title shot later this year against the winner of the Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones, who are expected to fight for Cormier's title in April.
Johnson was scheduled to fight Jones for the title at 205 in May 2015 before Jones was arrested for a hit-and-run incident. Instead, Johnson took on Cormier for the vacant title and lost by submission. Johnson bounced back with a second round knockout of Jimi Manuwa in September to regain his position as the No. 2 contender in the division.
Bader has won his last four bouts and expected to get a title shot last year with Cormier following his victory over Johnson, but was passed over for Alexander Gustafsson. Bader is currently the No. 4 contender for the title after his most recent decision win over Rashad Evans. Johnson is the betting favorite for the event at -300 and Bader at +250.
