Alexander Yakovlev is dropping down to the lightweight division and he will make his 155 pound debut in April as he will meet Gray Maynard at UFC Fight Night 63.
UFC officials announced the fight booking on Monday.
UFC Fight Night 63 will come from the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Virginia on April 4 and will be headlined by Chad Mendes meeting Ricardo Lamas in a featherweight bout.
Yakovlev (21-6-1) has dropped both of his fights in the UFC as a welterweight and his most recent defeat came in October against Nico Musoke. Prior to signing with the UFC, he had won three in a row including a decision win over Paul Daley.
Maynard (11-4-1, 1NC) is currently on a three fight losing streak and is 1-4-1 in his last six fights. His last appearance in the octagon came in August as he was defeated by Ross Pearson at UFC Fight Night 47.
The current UFC Fight Night 63: Mendes vs. Lamas fight card is below.
Chad Mendes (16-2) vs. Ricardo Lamas (15-3)
Jorge Masvidal (28-8) vs. TBD
Dustin Poirier (16-4) vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira (11-1)
Michael Chiesa (11-2) vs. Mitch Clarke (11-2)
Shamil Abdurahimov (15-2) vs. Timothy Johnson (8-1)
Liz Carmouche (9-5) vs. Lauren Murphy (8-1)
Luke Barnatt (8-2) vs. Clint Hester (11-4)
Julianna Pena (5-2) vs. Milana Dudieva (11-3)
Clay Guida (31-15) vs. Robbie Peralta (18-5, 1NC)
Justin Jones (3-1) vs. Ron Stallings (12-7, 1NC)
Gray Maynard (11-4-1, 1NC) vs. Alexander Yakovlev (21-6-1)