Nate Diaz vs. Michael Johnson added to UFC on Fox 17

Nate Diaz is back. The enigmatic lightweight hasn't competed since last December 2014, but he'll make his return to the cage against Michael Johnson at UFC on Fox 17 this December. Fox Sports Live broke the news earlier tonight.

Diaz (17-10, 12-8 UFC) had been holding out from the UFC for a while to get a new contract, but when that didn't happen he took a fight with Rafael dos Anjos late last year. He came in overweight, lost a lopsided decision, and hasn't been heard from since apart from a fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov at a recent WSOF event. But Diaz is popular, so he was able to secure another marquee fight.

Johnson (16-9, 8-5 UFC) had won four in a row before a bout with Beneil Dariush earlier this month, where he lost a very controversial decision. It appears that it wasn't a major setback for him in the eyes of the UFC though, other than having to face an unranked opponent here.

UFC on Fox 17 takes place on December 19th in Orlando, Florida. The main event will see lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos defending his title against Donald Cerrone.