McDonald (photo via UFC.com)

By FCF Staff

After being sidelined for much of 2014 and 2015 with injuries, Michael McDonald will return to the Octagon on January 2nd and will fight Masanori Kanehara at UFC 195.

The promotion recently confirmed the bantamweight fight.

McDonald (16-3), who is ranked #8 in the UFC’s 135 division, hasn’t fought since December, 2013, when he was submitted by Urijah Faber.

Kanehara (25-12-5), meanwhile, is coming off a split decision loss to Rani Yahya in July.

UFC 195 will be headlined by a welterweight fight between champion Robbie Lawler and contender, Carlos Condit. The card will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.