UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski of Australia will be a reserve contestant in the main event of UFC 280, which will be held on October 22 in Abu Dhabi (UAE).
He will replace Russian Islam Makhachev or Brazilian Charles Oliveira in case one of them fails to take part in the fight for the vacant belt in the lightweight division.
"It's official, I'm the backup fighter for the lightweight title fight! See you all in Abu Dhabi," Volkanowski said on social media.
Volkanowski, 34, has fought 26 fights in his MMA career, with 25 wins and one loss. Last time he fought at UFC 276 in July of this year. That time the Australian defeated American Max Holloway by unanimous decision.