Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev Targeted for UFC 286 in London

A lightweight clash pitting Justin Gaethje against Rafael Fiziev has been targeted for UFC 286.

Promotion broadcast partner ESPN reported on Saturday that the bout has nearly been finalized. UFC 286 takes place at the O2 Arena in London on March 18. A headliner for the event has not been confirmed, but it is rumored to be a welterweight championship trilogy between Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman.

Gaethje will be making his first appearance since suffering a first-round submission loss to Charles Oliveira in a 155-pound title tilt at UFC 274 last May. The former World Series of Fighting champ is 6-4 in the Las Vegas-based promotion, with victories over the likes of Michael Chandler, Tony Ferguson, Donald Cerrone and Edson Barboza.

The 29-year-old Fiziev has compiled a six-bout Octagon winning streak to establish himself as one of the rising contenders in the lightweight division. Most recently, the Tiger Muay Thai standout scored a fifth-round KO victory over Rafael dos Anjos at UFC ON ESPN 39 in July.