Barnett (photo courtesy Showtime)

By FCF Staff

Josh Barnett has his first assignment since he recently resigned with the UFC, and it’s fellow, former heavyweight champ, Frank Mir. The bout will take place August 31st at UFC 164 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Barnett (32-6) will return to the UFC for the first time since 2002, when he stopped Randy Couture to become the promotion’s champion. Barnett was stripped of the title after failing a post-fight drug test, and went on to compete for organizations like PRIDE, Affliction, Sengoku and DREAM.

Most recently, the 35 year-old and accomplished vet tapped out Nandor Guelmino, while competing at the final Strikeforce event in January. Barnett had talked in recent months about the possibility of facing Mir, if and when he resigned with the UFC.

Mir (16-7) will be looking to rebound from back-to-back losses to Junior dos Santos and most recently Daniel Cormier. Prior to the defeats Mir had won three straight,

UFC 164 will be hosted by Milwaukee’s Bradley Center.