Itβs been more than three years since former Ultimate Fighter finalist Vinny Magalhaes has stepped foot inside the UFC Octagon, but heβs now ready to make his return.
The multi-time grappling champion has re-signed with the organization after a very public falling out with his former employers at M-1 Global and now has a date and an opponent for his return.
Magalhaes will face Croatian knockout artist Igor Pokrajac at UFC 152 slated for Sept 22 in Toronto.
Sources close to the match-up confirmed to MMAWeekly.com that verbal agreements are in place for the new fight. SportsNet.com reporter Joe Ferraro first reported the contest.
Magalhaes unceremoniously exited the UFC after two losses including his TUF 8 final fight against Ryan Bader, but then committed himself to becoming a better mixed martial artist.
Since that time, Magalhaes has racked up a 7-1 record while also capturing the M-1 Global light heavyweight strap that he infamously sold on eBay after his long standing dispute with the European promoter.
Now the former Abu Dhabi grappling champion will face a very tough test in his return to the Octagon as he draws Igor Pokrajac in September.
Pokrajac currently rides a three fight win streak into his UFC 152 bout with Magalhaes including victories over Fabio Maldonado and Krzysztof Soszynski.
Now the Croatian fighter will face Magalhaes at UFC 152 with hopes of picking up his fourth win in a row as he continues his climb towards contender status in the light heavyweight division.