Welterweights Rory MacDonald, Tarec Saffiedine Official for UFC Fight Night in Canada

Rory MacDonald has won two straight in the Octagon. | Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

UFC officials announced the pairing on Thursday. The bout will likely serve as the headliner for the card, which takes place at the Halifax Metro Centre in Halifax, Novia Scotia, Canada.

For Saffiedine, the fight will serve as his second contest under the Zuffa banner since the dissolution of Strikeforce. The promotion’s final 170-pound champion was victorious in his first outing for the UFC, a dominant unanimous decision victory over Hyun Gyu Lim at UFC Fight Night “Saffiedine vs. Lim” in January. Over the course of 25 minutes, the Belgian relied heavily on his kicks to carry him to victory.

Following a disappointing loss to Robbie Lawler at UFC 167, MacDonald has worked his way back among the division’s elite with two straight triumphs. First, the Tristar Gym representative authored a come-from-behind unanimous decision win over Demian Maia at UFC 170. In his most recent outing, “Ares” captured a one-sided verdict over fellow welterweight contender Tyron Woodley at UFC 174.