Frankie Edgar meets Cory Sandhagen in bantamweight debut at UFC Raleigh on Jan. 25

Frankie Edgar will face a surging bantamweight contender in his divisional debut in January.

Former UFC lightweight champ Edgar (23-7-1 MMA, 17-7-1 UFC) has agreed to fight Cory Sandhagen (12-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC) at the UFC’s recently announced event on Jan. 25 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C., which is expected to stream on ESPN+.

MMA Junkie confirmed the fight is in the works with a person close to the situation following an initial report from ESPN. The person wished to remain anonymous because the UFC has yet to make an official announcement.

Edgar will attempt to become the eighth fighter in UFC history to win in three weight classes when he makes his debut at 135 pounds. After following his reign at 155 pounds with four unsuccessful title bids at featherweight, “The Answer” finally decided to drop down to the division where his frame is most naturally suited.

At 38, though, is it too late?

Sandhagen, No. 5 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie MMA bantamweight rankings, will attempt to help clarify. The 27-year-old is unbeaten inside the octagon and is coming off two high-profile wins against Raphael Assuncao and John Lineker.

The latest lineup for the Jan. 25 fight card includes:

• Curtis Blaydes vs. Junior Dos Santos
• Frankie Edgar vs. Cory Sandhagen