Tom Niinimaki has a tough test ahead inside the Octagon.
Following a successful UFC debut in November, Niinimaki is set to return to the cage at the UFC Fight Night 41 card in Berlin, Germany on May 31 against Thiago Tavares, sources close to the situation told MMAFighting.com.
Niinimaki (21-5-1) signed with the UFC after racking up an 11-fight win streak and scored a surprising victory over grappling wizard and WEC veteran Rani Yahya at The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale in Las Vegas, Nev.
Tavares (18-5-1) is set to make his featherweight debut following a first-round submission victory over Justin Salas in Brazil last November. Tavares was expected to cut down to 145 against Zubair Tuhugov in February, but was forced out of the bout with an injury.
UFC Fight Night 41 takes place at the O2 World arena in Berlin, Germany, and will be headlined by a middleweight clash between Mark Munoz and Gegard Mousasi.