Welterweight Josh Burkman, one of the fighters who made his name in the UFC after a run on an early season of The Ultimate Fighter, is back in the Octagon after nearly six years away, as UFC President Dana White announced his signing Friday afternoon.
In his first fight back, Burkman will square off with explosive 170-pound contender Hector Lombard at UFC 182 in Las Vegas on January 3.
Burkman, who competed on season two of the reality show, compiled a 5-5 record in the Octagon from 2005 to 2008. Since then, the 34-year-old Utah native has gone 9-2 with wins over the likes of Jon Fitch, Aaron Simpson, and Gerald Harris. In his most recent bout in March, Burkman knocked out Tyler Stinson in the first round.
After winning 6 of his last 7, Josh Burkman makes UFC return at UFC 182 Jan 3rd in Las Vegas against #6 welterweight Hector Lombard
— Dana White (@danawhite) October 3, 2014