Joe Riggs is back in the UFC, vs. Paulo Thiago at UFN 51
Joe Riggs has been brought back to the UFC for the first time since 2006, to fight Paulo Thiago at UFC Fight Night 51: Silva vs. Arlovski in Brazil on Sept. 13.
In the last seven and a half years Joe “Diesel” Riggs has gone 14-6, and is currently on a six fight win streak. During that time he has fought for Strikeforce, Bellator, and ProElite, among others. Thus it is not surprising that the UFC just signed him.
However, that is only half of his career, which started in 2001. The first half of his career was capped by going 3-3 in the UFC, which included wins over Nick Diaz and Chris Lytle.
Now, according to Brazil’s Combate Riggs was brought back to fight Paulo Thiago, after the initially scheduled Mike Rhodes dropped out due to injury. The fight will take place at UFC Fight Night 51: Silva vs. Arlovski on September 13, 2014 at Ginásio Nilson Nelson in Brasília, Brazil.
Riggs and the headling Arlovski have not appeared on the same card since UFC 55 in 2005. On that card, Arlovski knocked out Paul Buentello in 15 seconds, the fastest UFC title defense ever. Riggs beat Lytle in the second.
Silva is 2-6 his last eight, and on a two fight losing streak. A loss for either fighter could mean a release.