WEC bantamweight contender Jeff Curran's next fight will not be under the World Extreme Cagefighting banner.

The Fight Network has learned that Curran (29-12-1) will be facing Japanese DEEP veteran Tomohiko Hori (10-7-5) at XFO 33, Curran's own promotion, on Dec. 5 in Lakemoore, Ill.

Curran, the owner and promoter of the Xtreme Fighting Organization, is coming off a razor-thin split decision loss to Takeya Mizugaki at WEC 42 in August.

Curran has compiled an impressive career resume with wins over the likes of Rafael Assuncao, Wagnney Fabiano, Charles Bennett, Antonio Carvalho and Bao Quach.

Once touted as one of the most dangerous 145-pound fighters on the planet, Curran has now made the shift to the bantamweight division where he is 0-2 in fights against Mizugaki and Joseph Benavidez. 

The losses came at a tough time for Curran, who was hoping to rebound from back-to-back setbacks against Mike Thomas Brown and Urijah Faber at featherweight. 

The loss to Mizugaki brought Curran's record to 0-4 in his last four fights.

It goes without saying that Curran desperately needs a win to get back on track and become a legitimate contender in the WEC's stacked 135-pound division. 

Curran gets a chance to redeem himself in December as he will take a fight outside the WEC against Hori, a training partner of Mizugaki, the last man to defeat him.

Hori, meanwhile, is also hoping to rebound from a losing streak as he has suffered successive unanimous decision losses to Masakazu Imanari and Sami Aziz in his last two outings. 

The Japanese slugger has recorded career wins over Isao Terado, Seiji Akao, Jong Man Kim, Seiji Otsuka and Kazutaka Omigawa. 

A win for Hori could mean he will follow in the footsteps of his training partner Mizugaki and earn a contract with the WEC.

XFO 33 will emanate from the Lakemoor Banquet Facility in Lakemoore, Ill. on Dec. 5. 

No other bouts have been confirmed for the card.