Former UFC welterweight title challenger Jon Fitch will return to the Octagon at UFC 141 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The American Kickboxing Academy star faces fellow wrestler Johny Hendricks on the December 30th card. Verbal agreements are in place for the fight, which was first reported by ESPN.

Fitch has not fought since late February when he battled former two-division UFC champion B.J. Penn to a Majority Draw. A planned UFC 132 rematch between the two was cancelled after Fitch withdrew due to injury. Hendricks has won back-to-back fights since suffering his lone defeat in December.

Fitch (23-3-1, 1 NC) earned his shot at UFC Welterweight Champion Georges “Rush” St. Pierre at UFC 87 three years ago after winning his first eight UFC fights. He suffered a lopsided decision defeat in the title bout, however, and has found himself in a tough position in the division since. Despite winning five straight fights before the Draw with Penn at UFC 127, Fitch appears destined to never receive another shot at St. Pierre’s crown, but he continues to win challenging fights against top competition.

Hendricks (11-1-0) brings a strong wrestling pedigree into the bout with Fitch, which will be his highest-profile fight to date. He has also made considerable improvements in his striking and has finished six opponents with strikes. In December, the Oklahoma native dropped a Unanimous Decision to fellow contender Rick “The Horror” Story, but he rebounded with victories over T.J. Waldburger and another standout wrestler, Mike Pierce. A win over Fitch would put Hendricks on a short list of title contenders.

UFC 141: “Lesnar vs Overeem” takes place on December 30th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event is headlined by a five-round non-title bout between former UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar and former Strikeforce titleholder Alistair Overeem.

(Photo Credit: Sherdog.com)