UFC Champion Back In Action In August, Former TUF Winner Making Octagon Return

- UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson will make a quick return to the Octagon, agreeing to face Chris Cariaso at UFC 177 next month. The bout, first reported by Yahoo! Sports, will serve as the co-main event to the August 30 pay-per-view featuring bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw and Renan Barao.

Johnson (20-2-1) hasn't lost since he fought at bantamweight and challenger then-champion Dominick Cruz for the title. Since becoming a champion himself, "Mighty Mouse" has defeated Joseph Benavidez, John Dodson, John Moraga and most recently Ali Bagautinov.

Cariaso (17-5) is just 6-4 with the UFC, but has won three straight since a 2013 decision loss in Brazil to Jussier Formiga. He has picked up back-to-back 2014 decisions over Louis Smolka and Danny Martinez.

- Former Ultimate Fighter Season 8 winner Efrain Escudero will be making his return to the UFC, as he has signed to face Francisco Trinaldo at UFC Fight Night 51. The fight was first reported by MMAFighting.com.

Escudero (22-8) holds a 3-4 Octagon mark over the course of two stints. He started his career 12-0, but lost two of three and was released in 2010. After winning five of six, he was resigned, but dropped two straight decisions and received his walking papers again.

He has rebounded from a four-fight losing streak between 2011-13 to see his hand raised in four of five, earning a third opportunity with the UFC. Escudero's opponent for the September 13 card from Brazil, Trinaldo, is 14-4 overall and 4-3 with the promotion.