Two years after he was released from the UFC, heavyweight Todd Duffee is on his way back to the octagon.
Duffee will return to the organization and is scheduled to fight Phil De Fries at UFC 155 on Dec. 29, according to a Wednesday report from the Las Vegas Sun. The UFC later confirmed Duffee’s return on Twitter.
“Welcome back, big guy!” read the status update.
Duffee, once considered one of the heavyweight division’s brightest prospects, was last seen defeating Neil Grove by knockout at Super Fight League 2 in April. Prior to that, Duffee suffered a loss to currently-suspended UFC fighter Alistair Overeem at Dynamite!! 2010 in his bid for the Dream heavyweight title.
Most memorably, Duffee fell to Mike Russow at UFC 114 in May 2010. Duffee was dominating the fight for the better part of the contest when Russow landed a shocking punch that sent Duffee falling to the floor unconscious. The loss was Duffee’s first of his career.
De Fries was last seen finishing Oli Thompson by submission at the UFC on FOX event last August.
UFC 155 will take place in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
