Sean Soriano returns to UFC following six-year absence, faces Christos Giagos at UFC 262

More than six years after his first octagon run ended, Sean Soriano is back in the UFC.

MMA Junkie on Thursday learned from two people with knowledge of the booking that Soriano (14-6 MMA, 0-3 UFC) has replaced Joel Alvarez (18-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) and will face Christos Giagos (18-8 MMA, 4-4 UFC) in a lightweight matchup next week at UFC 262. The people requested anonymity because the UFC has not formally announced the contest.

Visa issues forced Alvarez out the original booking.

Soriano, 31, was undefeated heading into his first UFC run but then struggled in the octagon falling short against notables Tatsuya Kawajiri, Chas Skelly and Charles Rosa in featherweight contests. However, he currently stands at 5-1 in his past six appearances, fighting for CFFC, CES MMA and UAE Warriors en route back to the UFC.

Meanwhile, Giagos looks to build on the momentum of a December win against Carlton Minus in a 160-pound catchweight matchup. “The Spartan” currently stands at 3-1 in his past four octagon appearances, a run that also includes wins over Damir Hadzovic and Mizuto Hirota.

Featuring a lightweight title fight for the vacant UFC belt, UFC 262 takes place May 15 in Houston. The night’s main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

With the addition to the card, UFC 262 now includes:

• Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler – for vacant lightweight title

• Beneil Dariush vs. Tony Ferguson

• Edson Barboza vs. Shane Burgos

• Jack Hermansson vs. Edmen Shahbazyan

• Mike Grundy vs. Lando Vannata

• Andre Muniz vs. Ronaldo Souza

• Viviane Araujo vs. Katlyn Chookagian

• Rogerio Bontorin vs. Matt Schnell

• Andrea Lee vs. Antonina Shevchenko

• Christos Giagos vs. Sean Soriano

• Jamie Pickett vs. Jordan Wright

• Kevin Aguilar vs. Tucker Lutz

• Priscila Cachoeira vs. Gina Mazany