Patrick Cote (18-8) has his first welterweight challenger. The Canadian is slated to meet Strikeforce import Bobby Voelker (24-8) on the fight card of UFC 158, promotion officials announced on Friday.
UFC 158 takes place March 16 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada. UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre defends his title against Nick Diaz in the scheduled main event.
Former middleweight Cote was initially booked to rematch Alessio Sakara on the spring card, however kidney issues ultimately forced Sakara to withdraw. Cote subsequently announced intentions to drop down to the welterweight division.
“The Predator” holds a 5-8 record over four stints inside the UFC, including a loss to UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva and notable victories over Ricardo Almeida, Drew McFedries and Kendall Grove.
Voelker is the latest Strikeforce fighter to make his way over to the UFC in recent days, joining the likes of Derek Brunson and Robbie Lawler. “Vicious” compiled a 4-1 record under the Strikeforce banner, ending his tenure with a three-fight win streak that included two TKO finishes of Roger Bowling. He last competed on July 2011.