Xavier Foupa-Pokam

Middleweight Cage Rage veteran Xavier Foupa-Pokam will make his UFC debut against Denis Kang at UFC 97 on April 18th in Montreal, Canada.

MMA Junkie recently confirmed that both fighters had signed bout agreements for the matchup.

Foupa-Pokam (20-8) has not been defeated since a second-round submission loss to Murilo Rua in late-2007, his last Cage Rage appearance, winning seven-straight fights over the last two years. “Professor X” last fought in January, defeating Kyacey Uscola via first-round knckout at PFC 12.

After starting his career with a 7-7 mark, Kang went 22-3 since early-2003 before making his anticipated octagon debut in January. Kang dominated the majority of the first two rounds against Alan Belcher at UFC 93, but a takedown attempt allowed Belcher to secure a fight-ending guillotine late in the second round.

Though not yet officially confirmed, UFC 97 is expected to be co-headlined by Chuck Liddell vs. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and middleweight champion Anderson Silva vs. Thales Leites.

For the latest UFC 97 fight card check out the MMAFrenzy.com UFC rumors section.