12-1 #1 lightweight regionally for a reason. #callmedana #amtrakked @danawhite @BryanHamper @BrianButler_Au pic.twitter.com/1pe29VpomD

— Darrell Horcher (@HorcherMMA) April 4, 2016

The UFC surprised a lot of people when they announced Khabib Nurmagomedov’s short-notice opponent for UFC on FOX 19 after Nurmagomedov’s originally scheduled opponent Tony Ferguson had to withdraw due to injury.

12-1 reigning CFCC lightweight champion Darrell Horcher has stepped in to face Nurmagomedov as the two will face off in a catchweight bout set at 160 pounds on April 16th.

Horcher has been on a long campaign to get a call from the UFC and will get his chance to showcase his skills against Nurmagomedov, a top UFC lightweight contender.

Check out Horcher’s last fight with Stephen Regman that ended in round 3 in the video above.

Will Darrell Horcher make a statement in his UFC debut? Or will Khabib Nurmagomedov stay unbeaten and look to get a step closer to a lightweight title shot? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section on the fight.