Dustin Poirier is headed back to lightweight.
The former featherweight has decided to return to his original weight class and will meet Diego Ferreira at UFC Fight Night 63 on April 4 in Fairfax, Va., the UFC announced Friday. The event, which does not yet have a headliner, was also announced Friday by the promotion. It will take place at The Patriot Center on the campus of George Mason University.
Poirier (16-4) is coming off a first-round knockout loss to Conor McGregor at UFC 178 in September. But before that, he had reeled off three straight wins and was approaching a title shot at featherweight. Poirier, 25, alluded to a potential change in weight class after the defeat.
At lightweight, Poirier has an 8-1 record with his lone loss coming to Danny Castillo in WEC in 2010. The Louisiana native only lost to elite fighters at 145: McGregor, Chan Sung Jung and Cub Swanson.
Ferreira (11-1) was undefeated as a pro until he fell to Beneil Dariush at UFC 179 in October. The Brazilian prospect and Braziian jiu-jitsu standout had finished both Ramsey Nijem and Colton Smith before that. Ferreira, 29, will try to get back on track against Poirier.
UFC Fight Night 63 will mark the organization’s return to Virginia for the first time since May 2012 when Poirier fell to Chan Sung Jung in the main event.