new fight announced for UFC 117

[The Mac]

Dustin Hazelett's return is finally set.

While the submission specialist had been rumored to face former contender Dan Hardy in October, sources close to the event today told MMAjunkie.com that Hazelett (12-5 MMA, 5-3 UFC) has signed to face rising prospect Rick Story (10-3 MMA, 3-1 UFC) at UFC 117.

Although not officially announced by the promotion, UFC 117 is expected to take place Aug. 7 at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif. A middleweight showdown between embattled champion Anderson Silva and challenger Chael Sonnen headlines.

Hazelett, 24, last month told MMAjunkie.com that he was in no rush to get back to active competition after he suffered a brutal knockout loss to Paul Daley at UFC 108 in January.

The UFC, though, had other plans.

The Cincinnati, Ohio, resident was on tap to face Hardy at UFC 119 in London but withdrew from the fight because he planned to get married shortly after the October.

The Daley loss snapped a two-fight win streak for Hazelett in which he took home three bonuses; at The Ultimate Fighter 7 Finale he won "Submission of the Night" and "Fight of the Night" for a slick armbar win over Josh Burkman. He followed that with a reverse armbar victory over Tamdan McRory at UFC 91 for another submission bonus.

Story, meanwhile, is currently on a three-fight win streak capped by a split decision win over Nick Osipczak at UFC 112.

Although the 25-year-old wrestling standout fell short in his octagon debut against John Hathaway, he followed the setbacks with victories over Brian Foster and Jesse Lennox. His arm triangle submission of Foster brought him a dual fight-night bonus for "Submission of the Night" and "Fight of the Night," which netted him an extra $130,000 in his pocket.

The position of Hazelett vs. Story on UFC 117's card is not currently set.

[Pumphrey94]

hope hazlet wins