The Brazilian announced this to his fans on social media.
“January 20,” Costa wrote, adding two fist emoji to the post.
Paulo Costa, 32, last fought last August, defeating former division champion Luke Rockhold by unanimous decision over three rounds. Prior to that, “Borrachinha” suffered two straight losses, losing by technical knockout to Israel Adesanya, and by unanimous decision to Marvin Vettori.
The Brazilian fighter was scheduled to return to the octagon on October 21 at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi, but pulled out of his bout against Khamzat Chimaev due to a staph infection.
The main event of UFC 297 will be a middleweight title fight between the division’s reigning champion, American Sean Strickland, and the challenger to his belt, South African Dricus Du Plessis.