Alexander Gustafsson has been waiting on the sidelines for several months in hopes of being given a top-level fighter upon his return. Now, the rising prospect knows exactly who he will face next, as Gustafsson vs. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua is set as the co-main event for UFC on Fox 5 this December.

Gustafsson (14-1) has been out of action since April when he earned a decision over Thiago Silva. He is currently on a five-fight win streak.

"When it's time, I will be more than ready to fight him," said Gustafsson, in a recent interview with Kimura.se. "It's gonna be a tough fight, for sure. I will knock him out in the second round."

Gustafsson owns nine career knockout victories, including stoppages over Vladimir Matyushenko and Matt Hamill in 2011. His lone loss came in 2010 to Phil Davis via submission.

Rua is a former UFC light heavyweight champion who defeated Brandon Vera earlier this year. Rua had been hoping to secure himself a shot at UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, but that honor went to Lyoto Machida.

"'Shogun' is a very tricky fighter," Gustafsson said. "He has a good double-leg, really good striking; I have to be prepared for everything."

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