UFC 145 Fight Card: Miguel Torres Returns Against Michael McDonald

Fresh from exile, Miguel Torres has his next match-up.

The former WEC champion has been booked opposite red-hot prospect Michael McDonald for a featured bantamweight bout at UFC 145. UFC officials confirmed the bout on Friday.

The bout marks Torres' (40-4) first appearance inside the Octagon since briefly being cut from the UFC due to a rape-related tweet.

Prior to the controversy, the 30-year-old fighter experienced an admirable career resurgence, winning three of his last four fights with the only loss coming in a polarizing decision against Demetrious Johnson. He last appeared at UFC 139, dominating Nick Pace en route to a unanimous decision victory.

Meanwhile, the 21-year-old McDonald (14-1) continues to live up to his billing as one of the 135-pound division's rising stars. A winner of his last seven fights, including all three under the UFC banner, "Mayday" rocketed further up the ladder by crushing Alex Soto in 56 seconds last November.

In addition, seven previously confirmed match-ups for the now-defunct Montreal card have officially been rebooked for UFC 145. Those bouts include welterweights Rory MacDonald (12-1) vs. Che Mills (14-4), heavyweights Chad Griggs (11-1) vs. Travis Browne (12-0-1), heavyweights Brendan Schaub (8-2) vs. Ben Rothwell (31-8), lightweights Anthony Njokuani (14-6) vs. John Makdessi (9-1), lightweights Mark Bocek (10-4) vs. Matt Wiman (14-6), lightweights Mac Danzig (20-9-1) vs. Efrain Escudero (18-4), and welterweights Keith Wisniewski (28-13-1) vs. Chris Clements (10-4).

UFC 145 takes place April 21st in Atlanta, Georgia. A headliner is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

UFC 145 fight card:

Featherweight: Mark Hominick vs. Eddie Yagin
Featherweight: Marcus Brimage vs. Maximo Blanco
Bantamweight: Michael McDonald vs. Miguel Torres
Welterweight: Rory MacDonald vs. Che Mills
Heavyweight: Chad Griggs vs. Travis Browne
Heavyweight: Brendan Schaub vs. Ben Rothwell
Lightweight: Anthony Njokuani vs. John Makdessi
Lightweight: Mark Bocek vs. Matt Wiman
Lightweight: Mac Danzig vs. Efrain Escudero
Welterweight: Keith Wisniewski vs. Chris Clements