Joe Lauzon will collide with former lightweight title challenger Hermes Franca in the main event at UFC Fight Night 17 on Feb. 7 at the USF Sun Dome in Tampa, Fla. The UFC made the bout official on Thursday.

Lauzon (17-4) has posted seven wins in eight fights, losing only to the world-ranked Kenny Florian in that time span. A product of season five of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series, the 24-year-old has never gone to a decision in 21 professional bouts. Lauzon last appeared at UFC Fight Night 15 in September, when he stopped Kyle Bradley on second-round strikes. He has secured 13 of his 17 career wins by submission and holds victories against former UFC lightweight champion Jens Pulver and reigning World Extreme Cagefighting featherweight titleholder Mike Thomas Brown.

Franca (19-7), meanwhile, got himself back on track with a unanimous decision win over former teammate Marcus Aurelio at UFC 90 in October. A Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt with a wealth of experience upon which to draw, he has been finished only once in 26 career bouts. Wins over reigning WEC lightweight champion Jamie Varner, former International Fight League titleholder Ryan Schultz and Nathan Diaz highlight his resume. He, like Lauzon, holds a submission victory against Brown.

In another pivotal lightweight battle, Mac Danzig, season six winner of “The Ultimate Fighter, will square off with the durable Josh Neer, as the UFC makes its first stop in the Sunshine State since June 2007.

Danzig (18-5-1) finds himself on the rebound after a decision loss to Clay Guida at UFC Fight Night 15 three months ago. The well-rounded 28-year-old has been stopped only once – by Japanese star Hayato Sakurai – in his seven-year career. Danzig christened his UFC career with wins submission wins against Tom Speer and Mark Bocek.

Neer (24-7-1), like Danzig, enters the bout in need of a victory. Based out of the Miletich Fighting Systems camp in Bettendorf, Iowa, he dropped a split decision to Diaz at UFC Fight Night 15. Neer, a proven finisher, has secured 20 of his 24 career wins by knockout, technical knockout or submission. The 25-year-old counts victories over Din Thomas, Joe Stevenson and Melvin Guillard among his conquests.

Also announced were a heavyweight bout between Cain Velasquez and Denis Stojnic, and a middleweight bout between Amir Sadollah and Nick Catone. A lightweight showdown between Rich Clementi and Gleison Tibau is rumored.

UFC Fight Night 17 will air live Feb. 7 on Spike TV from 9:00 – 11:00 p.m. ET/PT.