UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou will fight interim belt holder Ciryl Gane on January 22 at UFC 270. It's reported by ESPN, citing the Cameroonian's manager.
An agreement for the fight has not yet been signed, but both fighters have given verbal approval.
Ngannou, 35, became champion on March 27 after knocking out Stipe Miocic in the second round. The Cameroonian wanted to make his first defence against Jon Jones, but promotion management was unable to agree financial terms with the former bantamweight division champion.
The 31-year-old Gane (10-0) won the interim title on August 7 by TKO over Derrick Lewis.