Breaking: UFC veteran plots comeback in Australia after hand injury derails Madison Square Garden bid
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Australia — A long-tenured mixed martial artist who earned his UFC contract thru a one-night triumph is now targeting a return Down Under, following a year dominated by injuries and shifting bout plans.
His journey spans years spent testing himself against the sport’s elite, including a time facing current light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and notable Canadian contender Simon Marcus. In the summer of 2019, he returned to MMA competition, scoring a win over former UFC heavyweight Cody East in the King of Sparta heavyweight series and earning a coveted spot on the fourth season of Dana White’s Contender series.
A unanimous decision over Ty Flores earned him a redemptive call-back to the Octagon, and he solidified his place on the UFC roster during a second run with seven straight fights without a loss that briefly propelled him into the Top 15 before a rough patch knocked him down the rankings.
Momentum continued with a dramatic knockout of Vitor Petrino on the final event of 2024, and a swift, first-round finish at the end of May signaled further upward movement. Yet a broken left hand sidelined him for the remainder of 2025, complicating his plans and timing for a high-profile return.
Speaking about the setback, he noted that veteran experience provides an edge, but injuries remain a harsh obstacle. He had hoped to clash with Crute in November at Madison Square Garden, only for schedule shifts and the injury to reframe those plans; now, with the UFC headed back to Australia later this month, he is positioned to seize another momentum-building opportunity.
“Being a veteran does make it easier — I’ve been through it all, seen it all — but it was unfortunate. When I fought in May, it was a great knockout, but I broke my left hand and it gave me fits throughout the year. We tried to line up a bout in November at Madison Square Garden, but the timing didn’t cooperate with my recovery. Now I’ve got another chance as we head to Australia later this month.”
Key milestones at a glance
| Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Return to MMA; victory to earn Contender Series invite | Defeated Cody East in King of Sparta heavyweight series; earned a spot on DWCS |
| DWCS Season 4 | Unanimous decision over Ty Flores | Secured call-back to the UFC roster |
| Early UFC Second Run | Seven-fight unbeaten stretch | briefly reached the Top 15 before a dip in form |
| 2024 | Knockout over Vitor Petrino | Final card of the year; momentum rising |
| May 2025 | First-round knockout over Bruno Lopes | Broken left hand; sidelined for the rest of 2025 |
| Late 2025 | Plans discussed for a November bout at Madison Square Garden | Scheduling conflicts and injury shifted plans; Perth card eyed |
| Late 2026 | Return opportunities in Australia | New chance to re-establish momentum Down Under |
What this means for the veteran’s path forward
For seasoned competitors, staying relevant frequently enough hinges on a delicate balance between opportunity and uninterrupted preparation.This period illustrates how experience can preserve a competitive edge, even as injuries and shifting schedules threaten to derail momentum. A prosperous run in Australia could reignite a bid for continued UFC action and reinforce the value of veterans who remain adaptable and prepared to capitalize on late-year openings.
As the sport’s calendar evolves, veterans who rebuild momentum with targeted performances can extend their careers and influence the broader dynamic of the UFC roster. The upcoming Australian bouts will be watched closely for signs of renewed consistency and for what they reveal about how a seasoned fighter negotiates return timelines after a layoff caused by injury.
Two questions for readers
1) Do you believe experience is the decisive edge for veterans returning from injury in high-level MMA?
2) Which upcoming Australian card matchup are you most eager to see and why?
Share your thoughts below and stay tuned for updates as the tour moves forward.
Follow for updates across official channels and combat-sports outlets as this story develops.
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