Undefeated UFC lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov will make his much-anticipated return to the Octagon on Dec. 30 against Edson Barboza at UFC 219 in Las Vegas.

MMAJunkie.com's Fernanda Prates was first on the news. 

Edson Barboza says UFC 219 fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov is on.

— Fernanda Prates (@NandaPrates_) October 27, 2017

At 24-0 and 29 years old, Nurmagomedov is unquestionably one of the hottest 155-pound fighters on earth. The problem, however, is that he's fought just twice since 2015, winning two fights last year via stoppage. 

He was slated to return against Tony Ferguson at UFC 209 earlier this year but was forced out of that bout after being hospitalized following a brutal weight cut. 

The 31-year-old Barboza, meanwhile, has been dealing with injuries of his own and hasn't fought since March, when he scored a vicious flying-knee knockout of Beneil Dariush at UFC Fight Night 106. 

Ranked No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, in the division, the bout between Nurmagomedov and Barboza will almost certainly determine the next contender for the 155-pound title. 

Currently, Conor McGregor holds the championship strap, while Ferguson recently earned the interim lightweight belt with a victory over Kevin Lee at UFC 216 on Oct. 7.