Jay Hieron’s officially made it back to the big show. According to a report by MMA Junkie, Hieron will return to the UFC on September 1st at UFC 151 when he fills in for an injured Josh Koscheck against Jake Ellenberger. MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani confirmed the news.
Hieron, 36, has one UFC fight already on his resume: a first-round TKO loss to then eventual champion Georges St. Pierre at UFC 48 in June of 2004.
The Xtreme Couture welterweight is 11-1 in his MMA career since November of 2007. His lone loss – one many observers believe is controversial – came to Bellator welterweight champion Ben Askren in October of 2011. Hieron most recently fought and defeated Romario da Silva last month by second-round submission at Legacy Fighting Championships 12.
According to the MMA Junkie report, Legacy Fighting Championship officials released Hieron from his contract to allow him the opportunity to fight in the UFC.
Ellenberger, 27, most recently fought and lost to Martin Kampmann in June after putting together a six-fight welterweight win streak. He was originally scheduled to face Koscheck, but the former AKA welterweight was forced to withdraw due to a bulging disk injury.
UFC 151 takes place September 1st at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada and is headlined by a light heavyweight title clash between Jon Jones and Dan Henderson.