Flyweight Standout Jussier ‘Formiga’ to Make UFC Debut Against ‘TUF 14’ Winner John Dodson

The 125-pound standouts have verbally agreed to meet at UFC on FX 5, Sherdog.com confirmed Monday with a source close to the bout. News of the matchup was first reported by Brazilian outlet Tatame.com.

UFC on FX 5 takes place Oct. 5 at Target Center in Minneapolis and is topped by a heavyweight tilt between former Strikeforce big man Antonio Silva and unbeaten prospect Travis Browne.

Known as “Formiga” -- Portuguese for “Ant” -- 27-year-old da Silva is the reigning Shooto South America 123-pound champion in his native Brazil. The former top-ranked flyweight has been on a tear since his February 2011 decision loss at the hands of Ian McCall; the tenacious grappler has won five straight bouts and has submitted his last four opponents.

Dodson, also 27, won his season of “TUF” at 135 pounds but returned to his natural weight class in early 2012 when the UFC installed its flyweight division. The Greg Jackson pupil is 2-0 so far in his Octagon run, having stopped T.J. Dillashaw in December and outpointed Tim Elliott in May. Dodson has not lost since October 2009 and has never been finished in his 18-fight career.