Anthony Johnson will face Ryan Bader in the UFC on Fox 18 main event on Jan. 30 in Newark, N.J.
The light heavyweight headliner was revealed during “UFC Tonight” on Wednesday. The Fox-televised card will take place at Prudential Center and also includes a welterweight co-feature pitting Tarec Saffiedine against Jake Ellenberger. The Johnson-Bader booking only increases the likelihood that Jon Jones will face reigning 205-pound titlist Daniel Cormier in his Octagon return.
Johnson challenged for light heavyweight gold at UFC 187, where he submitted to a Cormier rear-naked choke in the third round of their May 23 bout.