Heavyweight Soa ‘The Hulk’ Palelei Agrees to 4-Fight Contract with UFC

Paradigm Sports Management issued a release Monday announcing that Palelei will return to the world’s largest MMA promotion for the first time since a loss to Eddie Sanchez at UFC 79.

“I’m thankful to Dana White and Joe Silva for giving me this opportunity to come back to the UFC to showcase my skills,” Palelei stated in the release. “With determination, hard work and a great team, I’m happy to say that today I have signed with the UFC. I look forward to competing in the best organization in the world.”

The “Hulk” has won 10 of his 11 bouts since parting ways with the UFC following his third-round technical knockout loss to Sanchez. The 35-year-old will carry an eight-fight winning streak into the Octagon, with all but one of those triumphs ending inside of one round. Palelei won five fights in 2012, including recent victories over former UFC talent Sean McCorkle and K-1 veteran Bob Sapp.