Brazilian middleweight veteran Jorge Santiago (23-8) will be returning to the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The American Top Team fighter and the UFC have agreed to a multi-fight deal which will see the former Sengoku champion return to the octagon as part of UFC 130.
ESPN’s Brett Okamoto confirmed the news with UFC President Dana White via text on Friday afternoon.
Santiago fought three times for the UFC back in 2006, going 1-2 as part of UFN 5, 6 and 7. The win was against Justin Levens, while the losses were to Chris Leben and Alan Belcher.
Since that time the Brazilian fought for a few different organizations like BodogFight and Strikeforce before finding a more permanent home with World Victory Road’s Sengoku promotion, winning their middleweight title back in January of 2009. In that time he’s gone 11-1, defending the Sengoku belt twice, while avenging the single loss to Mamed Khalidov in back-to-back fights against the Polish fighter.
UFC 130 will take place on May 28 in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The event is headlined by a UFC lightweight title bout rematch between champion Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard.
UPDATE i: MMAWeekly.com says not so fast. Speaking with Santiago’s management, Malki Kawa of Authentic Sports Management, they have been told that an offer has been made by the UFC but no deal has been signed yet and are also in negotiations with Strikeforce.
UPDATE ii: Sherdog.com has confirmed the report by ESPN. “Santiago has signed a new contract with the promotion and is expected to make his return at UFC 130 on May 28 against a to-be-named opponent…Sherdog.com confirmed Santiago’s new deal with a source close to the negotiations. Details of the Brazilian’s contract are not known at this time.”