UFC veteran Taylor Lapilus has become the latest signing for ARES Fighting Championship, a newly formed Afro-European MMA league, which is set for its inaugural event in Dakar, Senegal on Dec. 14.

Many have speculated that ARES can make waves in Europe and beyond due to its strong financial backing by Vivendi Sports, a company that boasts international broadcaster Canal+ on its portfolio. Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane’s MMA Factory head coach Fernand Lopez is involved with the promotion.

Lapilus (15-3-0) banked a 3-1 record during his stint with the UFC from 2015 to 2016 taking wins over Rocky Lee, Ulka Sasaki and Leandro Issa. His sole defeat in the Octagon came against Erik Perez when they clashed at UFC Monterrey in Nov. 2015. Since leaving the UFC, “Double Impact” has amassed a tally of 4-1 and has claimed that TKO and GMC titles.

Lapilus joins fellow UFC veterans Ildemar Alcantara and Lukasz Sajewski. The promotion also boasts Olympian Rizlen Zouak on its roster and has come to terms with Senegalese wrestling champion Beug Beug to make his MMA bow at its inaugural event in Dakar.

Brazilian Marcos Breno (12-1-0) is set to face off against Lapilus at the event due to his original opponent Bryan Caraway withdrawing from the contest due to injury.

ARES Fighting Championship’s inaugural event is set to be broadcast across 26 African countries on Canal+ and worldwide on UFC Fight Pass.