Forrest Griffin has been out of action since his most recent decision win over Tito Ortiz at UFC 148 last July, but he could make a return to the Octagon before the end of 2013.
The former UFC light-heavyweight champion has been on the sidelines recovering from a knee injury but tweeted that he plans to return.
Dr said my knee is doing great ill be able to go in 6-7 months. We must have different Definitions of the word great
— Forrest Griffin (@ForrestGriffin) March 2, 2013
Griffin was scheduled to fight Phil Davis at last December’s UFC 155, but he withdrew after tearing his MCL.
In other UFC news:
— Strikeforce veterans Ovince St. Preux and Gian Villante will compete in a light-heavyweight bout on April 27 at UFC 159. St. Preux has won nine of his last 10 bouts, while Villante is on a three-fight win streak. UFC 159 is headlined by a light-heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen in New Jersey.
— Sara McMann meets Sheila Gaff in a women’s bantamweight tilt at UFC 159, the organization confirmed Tuesday. McMann, an Olympic silver medallist in freestyle wrestling, is 6-0 in MMA; Gaff is 10–4–1 with all 10 of her wins coming by stoppage.
— Two featherweight bouts were also added to UFC 159 as fan favourite Leonard Garcia takes on guillotine master Cody McKenzie and Steven Siler faces Jimy Hettes.
— The UFC has signed decorated Australian heavyweight Soa (The Hulk) Palelei to a contract and the UFC confirmed Tuesday he will take on Stipe Miocic at UFC 161 in Winnipeg on June 15.
Palelei (18-3) has won eight straight fights, all by knockout or TKO. He previously fought once in the UFC, losing to Eddie Sanchez by TKO at UFC 79.
The 35-year-old made the announcement Monday stating, “I’m thankful to Dana White and Joe Silva for giving me this opportunity to come back to the UFC to showcase my skills. With determination, hard work and a great team, I’m happy to say that today I have signed with the UFC. I look forward to competing in the best organization in the world.”
— FOX announced Monday plans to launch a new, national, multi-sport network called FOX Sports 1 and a variety of UFC events will air on the network.
A press release read: “Featured on Wednesday nights; live FIGHT NIGHTS through 2014, the first is scheduled for launch night, Saturday, Aug. 17; FOX event preliminary cards; UFC Tonight, the weekly authority for UFC news and information; 14 Saturday pay-per-view preliminary cards; hundreds of hours of library programs and events.”
In other MMA news:
Season six Bellator tournament winner Daniel Straus is injured and was forced to withdraw from his title shot against Pat Curran at Bellator 95. Instead, season seven winner Shahbulat Shamhalaev will challenge Curran at the April 4 event in Atlantic City, N.J.
