Submission Savant Vinny Magalhaes Makes UFC Return

Multi-time jiu-jitsu gold medalist and former M-1 Global light heavyweight champion Vinny Magalhaes (9-5, 1 NC) will make his UFC return likely by year's end. 


Brazilian media outlet Tatame.com first reported the news earlier this week. 


Magalhaes first appeared on The Ultimate Fighter 8 as a member of Team Mir, making it to the season finale where he suffered a technical knockout loss to world-ranked standout Ryan Bader. In his second Octagon appearance, the Xtreme Couture representative came up short to Eliot Marshall, subsequently signaling his release from the promotion.


Since his exit from the UFC, the 28-year-old has gone 7-1, including a current five-fight win streak. More impressively, however, all seven of his recent victories have come by way of stoppage, having captured the M-1 Global light heavyweight title in the process with a submission win over Viktor Nemkov. In his most recent outing, Magalhaes defeated Mikhail Zayats with a highlight reel head kick knockout in a "Knockout of the Year" candidate.


A bitter contract dispute with M-1 Global has kept the submission savant sidelined since last October, however, he became a free agent earlier this month allowing his return to the UFC.