Joe Riggs punching Bryan Baker

By FCF Staff

After winning Bellator’s “Fight Master” competition, veteran Joe Riggs is reportedly returning to the Octagon for the first time since 2006.

Riggs has been tapped to replace an injured Mike Rhodes, at UFC Fight Night 51 on September 13th, according to a report from Globo.com’s Combate. Rhodes was booked to fight Brazilian welterweight Paulo Thiago.

The UFC has not made any official announcement regarding the reported change.

Riggs (40-14) is currently riding a six fight win streak, and is coming off a decision win over Mike Bronzoulis in November to win “Fight Master.” The 31 year-old fighter exited the UFC in 2006, after he was stopped by Diego Sanchez.

Thiago (15-7) has dropped bouts to Gasan Umalatov and Brandon Thatch in his last two outings, after decisioning Michel Richard Cunha dos Prazeres.

UFC FN 51 will be hosted by the Nilson Nelson Gymnasium in Brasilia, Brazil.