Jesse Ronson steps in for Danny Roberts to face Nicolas Dalby at July 25 UFC ‘Fight Island’ show

Jesse Ronson is stepping in as a “Fight Island” replacement in his return to the UFC.

“The Bodysnatcher” replaces an injured Danny Roberts to face Nicolas Dalby in a welterweight bout set for July 25 at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. This will be Ronson’s first fight for the UFC since July 6, 2014.

MMA Fighting confirmed the news with a source following an initial report by TSN, and Dalby also announced on Instagram that he is fighting Ronson.

One of Canada’s top lightweight prospects ahead of his initial run in the octagon, Ronson (21-10) was unable to pick up a UFC win as he was matched up with stiff competition in Michel Prazeres, Francisco Trinaldo, and Kevin Lee. Ronson, 34, lost all three of those fights by split decision.

Ronson won seven of his next 10 fights after parting ways with the UFC, competing in Canada and Abu Dhabi. He returned to the United States to fight for the Professional Fighters League, going 0-2 for that promotion.

Dalby (18-3-1, 1 NC) recently made his own UFC comeback, defeating Alex Oliveira by unanimous decision in September. The 35-year-old former interim Cage Warriors welterweight champion is unbeaten in his last five outings.