The UFC’s return to Boston in January will be a home bout for John Howard in a matchup with another fighter needing to stop a skid.

The Boston-born Howard (22-10 MMA, 6-5 UFC) is set to meet Lorenz Larkin (14-4 MMA, 1-4 UFC) in a welterweight bout at UFC Fight Night 59. UFC officials announced the new contest on Monday afternoon.

Featuring a featherweight headliner between Conor McGregor and Dennis Siver, UFC Fight Night 59 takes place Jan. 18 at Boston’s TD Garden. The main card airs on FOX Sports 1 following prelims expected for FOX Sports 2 and UFC Fight Pass.

After going 6-1 outside the promotion, Howard returned to the UFC in August 2013, the company’s most recent visit to Boston, and he took a split decision from the highly touted Uriah Hall. He followed that up with a return to welterweight and a win over Siyar Bahadurzada at UFC 168. But Howard has stumbled in 2014, dropping decisions to Ryan LaFlare in Abu Dhabi in April and Brian Ebersole at UFC 178 in September. He’ll be looking to right the ship in front of his home fans.

Larkin has lost three straight and four of five since coming to the UFC after a stellar run in Strikeforce that included a victory over current welterweight title challenger Robbie Lawler. His UFC debut was a decision loss to Francis Carmont. He followed that with a win over Chris Camozzi, but in 2014 he’s gone 0-3 with decision losses to Brad Tavares and Derek Brunson and a knockout loss to Costas Philippou. Larkin was 13-0 when he came to the UFC.

With the addition, UFC Fight Night 59 now includes:

Conor McGregor vs. Dennis Siver

Eddie Alvarez vs. Benson Henderson

Jorge Masvidal vs. Norman Parke

Uriah Hall vs. Costas Philippou

Zhang Lipeng vs. Chris Wade

Sean O’Connell vs. Matt Van Buren

John Howard vs. Lorenz Larkin

For more on UFC Fight Night 59, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: John Howard)