John Alessio Meets Shane Roller at UFC 148

Short notice was the way for John Alessio to get back in the UFC, but he’ll look to solidify his spot when he returns at UFC 148.

The Canadian fighter who now trains out of Las Vegas will meet heavy handed wrestler Shane Roller on the July 7 card.

UFC officials announced the fight on Thursday.

Alessio had been campaigning for some months for a return to the UFC, and finally got his chance when an injury opened up a slot on the UFC 145 card in Atlanta.

Despite his best efforts, Alessio came up short against fellow Canadian Mark Bocek, and now looks to rebuild into the win column come July.

Facing Alessio will be former WEC lightweight contender Shane Roller, who is looking to stop a three-fight skid in the UFC.

Roller won his UFC debut in emphatic fashion with a huge knockout over Thiago Tavares, but then went onto lose subsequent bouts to Melvin Guillard, T.J. Grant, and Michael Johnson.

With the cut line looming, Roller will look to stave off a potential exit from the UFC when he faces Alessio in July.