Rousimar Palhares is on his way back to the Octagon.
A welterweight match-up between Mike Pierce and “Toquinho” is expected to take place on the UFC Fight Night 29 card in Brazil, according to media reports on Tuesday.
At the time of this publication, UFC officials did not return requests from GRACIEMAG.com for confirmation of the bout.
Palhares (14-5) last competed at UFC on FX 6, a losing effort to Hector Lombard in December of last year. Following the loss, the fighter failed a post-fight drug test for elevated levels of testosterone and was subsequently suspended nine months by the UFC.
Palhares’ return will be his debut at 170 pounds.
Pierce (17-5) is currently on a four-fight win streak, with his most recent outing being a technical-knockout win over David Mitchell at UFC 162 last month.
UFC Fight Night 29 is headlined by Demian Maia and Jake Shields, and takes place Oct. 9 in Barueri, São Paulo, Brazil.
LanceNet.com first reported news of the match-up.
UFC Fight Night 29
Maia vs. Shields
October 9, 2013
Jose Correa Gymnasium
Barueri, São Paulo, Brazil
Demian Maia (18-4) vs. Jake Shields (28-6-1, 1 NC)
Erick Silva (15-3, 1 NC) vs. Dong Hyun Kim (17-2-1, 1 NC)
Rony Jason (13-3) vs. Jeremy Stephens (21-9)
Thiago Silva (15-3, 2 NC) vs. Matt Hamill (10-4)
Fabio Maldonado (19-6) vs. Joey Beltran (14-8, 1 NC)
Raphael Assunção (20-4) vs. TJ Dillashaw (8-1)
Hacran Dias (21-2-1) vs. Rodrigo Damm (11-6)
Iliarde Santos (27-8-1, 1 NC) vs. Chris Cariaso (14-5)
Rousimar Palhares (14-5) vs. Mike Pierce (17-5)
