Former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos signs with Eagle FC, debut set for May 20

Junior Dos Santos is back.

The former UFC heavyweight champion is set to return to MMA action he has signed with Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Eagle FC. Dos Santos (21-9) is set to headline an upcoming event on May 20 against fellow UFC veteran Yorgan De Castro. MMA Junkie confirmed the news following an initial report from ESPN.

Dos Santos, 38, exited the UFC in 2020, closing the book on an incredible run with the promotion where he racked up 15 victories in 23 fights. His crowning achievement came at UFC on FOX 1, where he knocked out Cain Velasquez in just 64 seconds. He would defend his title against Frank Mir at UFC 146 before revisiting his iconic rivalry with Velasquez.

Since his exit from MMA, Dos Santos has dabbled in professional wrestling, making appearances and competing in matches in AEW. He was also set to fight in the main event of Triller’s Triad Combat against Kubrat Pulev before the event ultimately fell apart.

De Castro (8-3), 34, will look to extend his two-fight win streak, as he enters May 20’s main event on the heels of a first-round finish of Shaun Asher at Eagle FC 44 in January. The Dana White’s Contender Series veteran fought four times under the UFC banner before his exit, ultimately landing in Eagle FC after one fight in CES.

The co-main event of the May 20 event will see a pair of new signees to Eagle FC clash, as Hector Lombard meets Thiago Silva in a light heavyweight bout.