The Barbarian Signs New Deal With UFC

UFC light heavyweight fighter Tim "The Barbarian" Boetsch has signed a new four-fight deal with the UFC and is ready to get back to competition.

Boetsch made his big league debut in the International Fight League (IFL) as a late replacement to fight Belarusian MMA veteran Vladimir "The Janitor" Matyushenko. He was given three days to prepare for the match, and fought the future champion to a decision. After this performance, Boetsch made his UFC debut at UFC 81: Breaking Point as a late replacement to fight David Heath. He was given ten days to prepare for the fight, and won by TKO in the first round. Boetsch received particular acclaim and a fan following for the way he threw Heath onto his head at the end of the fight. Boetsch next made his main card debut in the UFC as a replacement to fight Matt Hamill at UFC Fight Night 13 with six weeks to prepare for the fight. Though he opened a large gash on Hammill's lower lip, he found himself winded in the second round, leading to a TKO loss due to stikes from the ground.

Boetsch fought submission specialist Mike Patt at UFC 88: Breakthrough. For the first time in four fights, he did not enter the bout as a replacement for another fighter. he won by TKO in the 1st round.

Boetsch anticipates a March return to competition, though he is unsure of his next opponent. He is currently training at his gym, Triple Threat, in Sunbury, Pennsylvania.

"I'm real stoked," said Boetsch. "I'm excited to get back in there, secure my job for another year; that's always a good thing. I'm looking forward to getting in there and showing people the new an improved 'Barbarian'. And just continue to gain that experience and climb up the ladder."