Jorge Santiago Officially Signs With The UFC

Jorge Santiago inks multi-fight deal with the UFC.

The Sengoku Middleweight Champion has officially signed a multi-fight deal with the Ultimate Fighting Championship and faces Brian Stann at UFC 130.

Heavy.com previously reported Santiago was expected to ink a contract with the UFC and face Stann.

Officials from Authentic Sports Management, Santiago’s management team, announced the signing on Tuesday.

Santiago is the most recent of a string of fighters who have left the Japanese MMA stage to compete in the U.S.

“I had a great experience in Japan, but I am now really excited to fight again in the UFC and conquer more fighters in the U.S.,” Santiago said.

Santiago had a three-fight run in the UFC back in 2006, but after losing back-to-back fights to Chris Leben and Alan Belcher, he was cut from the promotion.

Since his UFC departure, Santiago has gone 11-1, winning the Strikeforce Middleweight Grand Prix in 2007 and the Sengoku middleweight title in 2009. He defended the Sengoku belt twice.

Brian Stann was originally set to face Wanderlei Silva at UFC 130, but Silva declined to take the bout due to Stann’s status as an American military hero.

UFC 130 takes place May 28 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and is headlined by the lightweight title bout between Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard.