Mousasi draws Machida in return to middleweight

Gegard Mousasi will officially return to the middleweight division for his next bout and as requested he got a top five opponent because the former Strikeforce champion will meet Lyoto Machida in the main event of the UFC Fight Night event headed to Jaragua do Sol, Brazil on February 8, 2014.

Mousasi has been flirting with a move to middleweight ever since his debut fight in April, and following surgeries to repair damage on his knee the option became even more enticing as it allowed him more time to cut the weight back down to 185 pounds.

Mousasi first came to prominence as a middleweight while fighting in Japan where he picked up wins over several notable names including Ronaldo 'Jacare' Souza. Now he will make his middleweight debut in the UFC against a former champion and a very tough fight for anyone in the division.

Following a successful career that included a brief run as the king at 205 pounds, Lyoto Machida opted to drop down to middleweight for his last bout. The Brazilian looked quick and devastating as he put away Mark Munoz in the first round of their matchup with a bone shattering head kick to win by knockout.

Now Machida will go home to Brazil for his next fight in February to face Mousasi with the winner most certainly inching ever so close to a title shot at some point in the next year.

The UFC Fight Night event just announced for Feb 8 will air on FOX Sports 2 with more fights expected to be added in the coming weeks.