Dan Hooker is set to face his first ranked opponent as he will meet Edson Barboza in a lightweight bout at UFC Milwaukee on Dec. 15. The news was confirmed by the New Zealand Herald, though it is not known where it will serve on the main card.

Hooker (17-7) has been an absolute tear since moving to the lightweight division last year. The New Zealander has four consecutive stoppage wins, the most recent of which came in a knockout win against Gilbert Burns at UFC 226 in July.

He will now get a chance to move into the top 10 of the division as he faces arguably his toughest opponent yet in the No. 6-ranked Barboza.

The Brazilian (19-6) is coming off two brutal losses against Khabib Nurmagomedov and Kevin Lee, but is still an extremely dangerous opponent, regarded as the best striker in the division.

And Hooker is glad to receive a tough opponent, especially as he had been struggling to land anyone to face him.

"This is the fight I wanted. He is the guy in the top 10 that the other guys in the top 10 don't want a bar of," Hooker told the Herald. "I would fight anyone unranked as well. If they came and said 'I'm the guy, I can beat Dan Hooker' then congratulations, you got the fight. But no one stepped up; no one said it."

"I chased him because I believe ... he's the toughest fight. I didn't ask for Edson Barboza because I feel like that's an easy way to get to the top, I think he's going to bring a fight. I want a real test ... and I feel like Edson Barboza is the man for the job. he said.

Barboza was outclassed on the ground against Nurmagomedov and Lee, but given his and Hooker's preference to strike, the latter is expecting an exciting contest.

"They [Nurmagomedov and Lee] were tough stylistic match ups, but the guy's a killer," Hooker added. "He's going to be a very tough matchup. It's going to be a very good striking fight."

The event will take place at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.

Other fights booked for the card are: