Australian heavyweight Tai Tuivasa is set to fight Bulgarian Blagoy Ivanov at UFC 238 in Chicago on June 9th AEST.

Only weeks after being rated a future UFC champion by Brazilian star Junior dos Santos, The Daily Telegraph can reveal 25-year-old Tuivasa has agreed to a bout with Ivanov -- the fighter who famously survived a 2012 bar stabbing.

Apart from undergoing six hours of lifesaving surgery, the heavyweight was also put into an induced coma before eventually completing a full recovery.

In 20 fights, Ivanov has lost only twice.

media_camera Tuivasa fought Andrei Arlovski in Chicago last year. Picture by Sam Ruttyn.

Since joining the UFC last year, the 32-year-old suffered a unanimous decision loss against Brazilian Junior dos Santos in July before then earning a decision win over American Ben Rothwell earlier this month.

His is currently ranked No.14.

Tuivasa, meanwhile, suffered the first loss of his professional career against dos Santos in Adelaide last December -- a second round TKO.

However, the former Sydney Roosters player, who is ranked No.12 in the heavyweight division, looked strong in the opening round and will start the betting favourite against Ivanov.

When quizzed on Tuivasa earlier this months, JDS told The Daily Telegraph: “I’m excited about Tai Tuivasa.

“And I do believe he can become a great champion.

“Right now, Tai’s young.

media_camera Tuivasa is coming off his first professional loss. Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images.

“In our fight, he was really putting on some pressure. Walking forwards, very hungry.

“But he was walking forwards too much.

“All the time actually.

“So I was able to use my experience, stop and then connect with one of my punches.

“And in the heavyweight division, when you connect your opponent is going to feel it.

“But it was a good fight, I think he’ll have a great career.”

Asked what advice he would give the Sydneysider in the wake of their loss, dos Santos continued: “There’s no secret, you just have to work hard.

“And from what I understand, these things Tai is already doing.

“He’s also got a great role model in Mark Hunt. I think he’s going to have a really exciting future.”