Todd Duffee (7-2) officially returns to the UFC after over a two year separation from the organization, after only one loss to Mike Russow at UFC 114. It was rumored that his removal was due to comments made about the UFC not paying fighters enough when he was refused coverage of his medical bills. Whether true or not, the large 26-year-old heavyweight will make his return against Phil de Fries (9-1) at UFC 155. Duffee will be stepping in for Matt Mitrione as he’s moved to an earlier bout against Roy Nelson at the upcoming TUF finale.

During Duffee’s leave, he made an attempt at current UFC contender and former Strikeforce champ Alistair Overeem on the Dynamite year finale. Unfortunately he would suffer a first round KO in only 19 seconds. After the bout injuries kept the prospect from the sport until April 2012 when he took out Neil Grove at SFL 2 in India.

De Fries 2-1 in the UFC is proving to be an astounding prospect as well, pulling off a submission finish over Oli Thompson back in Aug.

The battle looks to be a classic striker versus grappler on submission, but considering the camps these two come out of, this should make an interesting war standing and on the ground.