The 5 Best Returning UFC Fighters

While the UFC is bringing in new talent, like Anthony Johnson and Todd Duffee, all the time, UFC President Dana White has been reaching out and bringing back a lot of the faces that the fans have been following for years. So while some of the newbies might be the emerging stars in the ring, these five heavy-hitters definitely know a thing or two about whooping ass.

1. Vitor Belfort

Belfort electrified the MMA world when he debuted at UFC 12 and scored a 1:17 knockout with blazing fast hands and a knack for referee stoppages. He ultimately hit the indy fighting circuit after leaving the UFC after losses to Randy Couture and Tito Ortiz but is not back yet again to face former Middleweight champ Rich Franklin at UFC 103 hoping to get right back into the championship circuit.

2. Tito Ortiz

After another falling out with Dana White, Ortiz went to work as a color commentator for the Affliction fighting start-up. After that folded, White called Tito to return yet again. Tito hasn’t won a fight since beating Ken Shamrock three years ago and it is yet to be seen how in shape he is. We’ll get that shot at UFC 106 where he’ll be fighting UFC veteran Mark Coleman.

3. Frank Trigg

Trigg hasn’t been seen in the UFC since UFC 54 in which he was choked out by Georges St. Pierre (just four months after losing to Matt Hughes). He returns at UFC 103 to take on Josh Koscheck  after having won four straight fights against a bunch of nobodies in four different fighting leagues.

4. Phil Baroni

No, it’s not a joke. The MMA veteran who hasn’t been seen in the UFC in more than 4 and a half years is coming back at UFC 106 to fight Ultimate Fighter winner Amir Sadollah. Baroni is 7-6 since leaving the UFC and hasn’t beat anyone good since…well ever.

5.Tim Sylvia

The most overrated Heavyweight champion whose claim to fame is beating Andrei Arlovsky twice is supposedly in talks with Dana White on a new contract. He will soon be back in the UFC but not before fighting another nobody at Adrenaline MMA.

Follow the author, Igor Derysh, on Twitter @igorderysh