Less than a month from a first-round knockout win that netted him the title of "The Ultimate Fighter 14," Tony Ferguson (11-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) has his next booking.
The UFC today announced the welterweight is set to meet veteran Aaron Riley (30-12-1 MMA, 3-4 UFC) at UFC 135, which takes place Sept. 24 at Denver's Pepsi Center.
The event's main card airs live on pay-per-view and features a light-heavyweight headliner between current champ Jon Jones and former champ Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.
It's been quite a while since MMA fans have seen Riley in the cage. Although he was scheduled to fight Pat Audinwood this past September at UFC 119, an injury prompted him to withdraw, and he's since been on the shelf.
It will have been 16 months since Riley fought when he steps into the cage against Ferguson. He most recently bested Joe Brammer on points at UFC 114. Since returning to the promotion in late 2008, he has alternated between wins and losses in five appearances.
There hasn't been much of a layoff for Ferguson, who took residence at Brock Lesnar's Team Death Clutch in preparation for his fight against Ramsey Nijem in the reality show's finale, which took place earlier this month. He has since moved back to his home in Ventura, Calif., where he trains with Knuckleheadz Boxing.
The knockout of Nijem brought Ferguson's win streak to four.
Source: Tony Ferguson vs. Aaron Riley set for UFC 135 in Denver