Jay Hieron Returns To UFC; Faces Jake Ellenberger At UFC 151

UFC, Strikeforce and Bellator veteran Jay Hieron (23-5) will make his return to the Octagon this September for the first time in over seven years.

The former IFL welterweight champion steps in for an injured Josh Koscheck and will face division standout Jake Ellenberger (27-6) at September's UFC 151.

Sources close to Hieron's camp confirmed the news to CageReligion.com on Wednesday.

UFC 151 takes place on September 1 at Las Vegas' Mandalay Bay Events Center and is headlined by a light heavyweight title clash between reigning champion Jon Jones and ex-Strikeforce and PRIDE titleholder Dan Henderson.

Hieron and Ellenberger first locked horns under the IFL banner in 2006 with the former walking away with the unanimous decision victory.

11-1 in his last 12 outings, Hieron's lone loss since 2007 came in the form of a controversial split decision to reigning Bellator champ Ben Askren last October. During his current streak, the Xtreme Couture representative has notched victories over fellow UFC vets Jason High, Jesse Taylor and Joe Riggs. In his most recent outing, Hieron submitted Romario da Silva at Legacy Fighting Championship 12 last month.

Ellenberger, meanwhile, will look to bounce back from his first defeat in over three years after suffering a knockout loss to Hieron's teammate, Martin Kampmann, in June. Prior to the loss, the 27-year-old was on an impressive six-fight win streak, including victories over former title contenders Jake Shields and Diego Sanchez.

(Pictured: Jay Hieron)