Jon Fitch

Yushin Okami’s welterweight debut will come against another UFC vet when he and Jon Fitch headline WSOF 24 on Oct. 17.

WSOF President Ray Sefo confirmed the plans with MMAjunkie.

In addition to Okami (30-9) vs. Fitch (26-7-1), WSOF 24 also features heavyweight champion Blagoy Ivanov (12-1) vs. Derek Mehmen (19-6). Additionally, lightweight Nick Newell (12-1) is slated for the card.

WSOF 24 takes place Oct. 17 at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Conn. The main card is expected to air on NBCSN following prelims on MMAjunkie.

Okami, who only recently fell out of the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA middleweight rankings, recently decided on a move to 170 pounds – despite being one of the sport’s bigger 185-pounders. The 34-year-old Japanese fighter joined WSOF after a seven-year run with the UFC, where he unsuccessfully vied for the title in 2011. He was on a 4-1 run before a recent title loss to WSOF middleweight champ David Branch in November.

He now meets Fitch, who’s 2-2 under the WSOF after a long run and eventual unsuccessful title bid with the UFC. The 37-year-old has defeated Marcelo Alfaya and Dennis Hallman (the latter at middleweight) before earning a WSOF title shot and suffering a submission loss to welterweight champ Rousimar Palhares at WSOF 16. Drug-testing issues subsequently followed the loss.

Ivanov, a former Bellator title challenger, made his WSOF debut this past month and submitted Smealinho Rama to win the heavyweight belt. He now meets Mehmen, a former Strikeforce fighter who’s 3-1 under the WSOF banner. He most recently defeated Brian Rogers at a March event in Abu Dhabi.

Newell, meanwhile, recently rebounded from his first career loss – a title defeat to WSOF champ Justin Gaethje – with a decision victory over Joe Condon at WSOF 20. A WSOF 24 opponent hasn’t been finalized.

The latest WSOF 24 card now includes:

• Jon Fitch vs. Yushin Okami
• Champ Blagoi Ivanov vs. Derrick Mehmen – for heavyweight title
• Nick Newell vs. opponent TBA

For more on WSOF 24, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.