Yushin Okami's long-awaited World Series of Fighting debut is just around the corner.

The veteran middleweight and former top UFC contender will meet Svetlozar Savov at WSOF 9 on March 29 in Las Vegas, WSOF officials told MMAFighting.com.

Okami, the 32-year-old native of Kanagawa, Japan, was a controversial cut from the UFC last summer. Okami (29-8) was released by the UFC after a first-round TKO loss to Jacare Souza, despite holding victories in his three previous bouts before the Souza loss.

A native of Bulgaria, Savov has put together a 12-4 record fighting on European circuits. He's won three of his past four fights, and 11 of his 12 career victories have come by way of finish.

WSOF 9, at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, is headlined by a WSOF welterweight title fight between champion Steve Carl and the debuting Rousimar Palhares.