Would-be title challenger Erik Koch returns against Ricardo Lamas

UFC featherweight Erik Koch

MMA Opinion has reported that Erik Koch will return to action against fellow featherweight Ricardo Lamas. The fight will reportedly be part of UFC 155, which takes place Dec. 29 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Koch has been scheduled to face UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo twice. Their meeting fell apart when Aldo pulled out of the UFC 149 card with an injury. The pair was then matched for UFC 153, but this time the challenger dropped out of the contest. Aldo was then set to face lightweight champion Frankie Edgar, but once again the champion dropped out with an injury.

The Roufusport fighter olds a 13-1 record as a professional. His only defeat came in a hard fought decision to Chad Mendes. He holds victories over Francisco Rivera, Raphael Assuncao and Jonathan Brookins.

Lamas signed with the WEC back in 2009. He went 4-2 under that banner before moving to the UFC due to the merger. In the UFC, Lamas has picked up three-straight victories over Matt Grice, Cub Swanson and former SRC and Shooto world champion Hatsu Hioki.

In the main event of UFC 155, Junior dos Santos and Cain Velasquez will meet for the UFC heavyweight title for the second time. Dos Santos defeated Velasquez for the belt last November and has since defended it once with a knockout over former champion Frank Mir.