UFC 142 Fight Card: Terry Etim Returns Against Edson Barboza

It took Terry Etim 19 months to reenter the Octagon after suffering a broken rib last year. It took less than four days to plot his return. According to reports from ESPN, the explosive young Brit has verbally agreed to fight undefeated Brazilian prospect Edson Barboza at UFC 142. Promotion officials have yet to confirm the bout.

After such a prolonged layoff, Eitm (15-3), a Team Kaobon blue belt in Luta Livre, wasted no time reemerging in the 155-pound ranks with a stunning 17-second submission victory over Eddie Faaloloto at UFC 138. The spectacular finish was the second-fastest submission in UFC history and garnered the 25-year-old a record-tying fourth "Submission of the Night" bonus.

Meanwhile, Barboza (9-0), a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu purple belt with an extensive kickboxing background, returns to the cage after earning a hard-fought split decision victory over Ross Pearson at the UFC's debut in Rio de Janeiro, UFC 134. The electrifying win earned the 25-year-old his second straight "Fight of the Night" bonus in just his third UFC appearance.

UFC 142 will be held at HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on January 14th. Brazilian champion Jose Aldo defends his featherweight belt against American challenger Chad Mendes in the night's main event.

UFC 142 fight card:

Featherweight Championship: Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes
Middleweight: Anthony Johnson vs. Vitor Belfort
Lightweight: Terry Etim vs. Edson Barboza
Lightweight: Thiago Tavares vs. Sam Stout