Diego Sanchez Aiming to Return in Lightweight Bout at UFC 164, Opponent TBA

Coming off a successful return to the lightweight division, Diego Sanchez is expected to re-enter the Octagon at UFC 164 later this year.

According to MMA Junkie, Sanchez confirmed the event for his next bout, although he still needs an opponent:

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"I talked to [UFC matchmaker] Joe Silva yesterday, and he penciled me in for Aug. 31," Sanchez said.

"We're looking at opponents. I did like I always do and said, 'Look, you're the man, Joe. You're the one who makes all these big matchups. And I'm, in my opinion, in the most stacked division in the UFC, and there are plenty of great fights out there, and you'll hook me up with a good scrap.'"

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Sanchez was last seen in action at UFC on Fuel 8 in Japan last March, where the Greg Jackson MMA team member outpointed Takanori Gomi in a controversial split decision win.

Although Gomi landed more total strikes (81-to-68 via FightMetric), Sanchez earned a pair of takedowns to win two of the judge's scorecards.

Currently, there's a wealth of UFC lightweights available who don't have a scheduled fight.

Assuming that Sanchez is paired up with someone coming off a win, that would include Josh Thomson, Pat Healy, Jorge Masvidal, undefeated Myles Jury, Ross Pearson, Jamie Varner and Rustam Khabilov, just to name a few likely candidates.

Additionally, Gilbert Melendez, Nate Diaz, Jim Miller, Joe Lauzon and Matt Wiman are also waiting for opponents while recovering from losses.

UFC 164 is rumored to be heading to Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Saturday, Aug. 31, as part of a 110th anniversary celebration of Harley-Davidson, a long-term business sponsor of the UFC (via MMA Weekly).