Arnold Khegai could have traveled a safer next route while he awaits his first major title fight.

The streaking featherweight contender instead made a point to seek out former title challenger Joet Gonzalez. The two are set to meet atop a March 8 show from Thunder Studios in Long Beach, California.

Khegai (22-1-1, 14 KOs) is the WBO No. 2 contender. The Ukraine-born, Los Angeles based featherweight in line to eventually challenge WBO titlist Rafael Espinoza (26-0, 22 KOs).

For now, the 32-year-old will aim to extend his current six-fight win streak. His lone career defeat came in a unanimous decision to Stephen Fulton in their Jan. 2020 battle of unbeaten junior featherweights. Khegai moved up to featherweight, where he has emerged as a contender to watch.

Gonzalez (26-4, 15 KOs) has seen better days but is still a formidable gatekeeper. The 31-year-old Los Angeleno is 3-4 in his last seven starts. Three of the defeats have come in major title fights—dropping decisions to Shakur Stevenson, Isaac Dogboe and most recently Luis Alberto Lopez on that stage.

The Sept. 2023 unanimous decision defeat to Lopez was Gonzalez’s last fight. The 18-month layoff preceding this contest is the longest of his 13-year career.

Also on the show, former light heavyweight title challenger Radivoje Kaladjzic (29-3, 21 KOs) and France’s Mickael Diallo (21-2, 18 KOs) in a scheduled ten-round bout.

Kalzadjzic saw his stock raise in defeat as he fell just short against David Morrell (11-0, 9 KOs) last Aug. 3 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. The setback snapped a five-fight win streak for the Florida-based Serbian, who was stopped in the fifth round of a May 2019 IBF light heavyweight title bid against Artur Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KOs).

The card will also feature Los Angeles-based featherweight Katsuma Akitsugi (12-0, 3 KOs). ‘El Cuete Japonecito’ (“The Japanese Firecracker”) will meet Nicaragua’s Winston Guerrero (22-1, 13 KOs) in a scheduled ten-round featherweight contest.