Brazilian middleweight Jacare Souza will face Jack Hermansson in the main event of UFC Fight Night on April 27, and a victory will secure him a UFC title shot.
Souza (26-6) has agreed to meet Hermansson (19-4) at this month's UFC Fight Night event in Sunrise, Florida. He was originally supposed to face Yoel Romero, but Romero withdrew this week, citing illness.
UFC president Dana White told ESPN that should Souza win, he will earn a future crack at the 185-pound title. The UFC will crown an interim middleweight champion next weekend in a bout between Israel Adesanya and Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 236 in Atlanta. The winner is expected to face current champion Robert Whittaker in a title unification bout later this year. With a win on April 27, Souza will be next in line.
"[UFC matchmaker] Mick Maynard was able to find a last-minute opponent, and we know how hard it is to find someone to fight Jacare on short notice," Souza's manager, Gilberto Faria, told ESPN. "Props to Jack for taking the fight. We are glad that it's been made clear a win will guarantee Jacare a title shot, something he's pursued for many years.
"Even though Jacare is 39 years old, I believe he is at his peak. Jacare is a better fighter than he's ever been, and everyone will see that on April 27."
Souza, of Manaus, Brazil, is a former Strikeforce middleweight champion. He holds a 9-3 record in the UFC but has never fought for a UFC title. He is coming off a knockout win over former champion Chris Weidman in November.
Hermansson, of Sweden, is less than one week removed from a 49-second submission win against David Branch at UFC Fight Night in Philadelphia. He is 6-2 in the UFC, with five finishes.
The UFC Fight Night card on April 27 will air on ESPN.