Brandon Thatch came into Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) with guns blazing, destroying his first ZUFFA-appointed opponent, Justin Edwards, via technical knockout at UFC Fight Night 27. He followed that up with a thrashing of Paulo Thiago in a little over two minutes at UFC Fight Night 32 in Brazil.

Since then, "Rukus" has taken a break from mixed martial arts (MMA) competition in order to deal with some nagging injuries that could have ended up derailing a potential meteoric rise to the top of the welterweight division at some point down the line.

At last Friday's (Jan. 24, 2014) Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) 12 event, with his right arm in a sling, MMAmania.com caught up with the 28-year-old Team Grudge member in hopes of clarifying when MMA fans can expect to see the knockout artist back in action.

"It's just from wear and tear man," Thatch said. "I should be ready to go in four to five months and believe me, I'll be back better than ever. I'm not going anywhere."

Phew.

In a division that has tons to be settled in the coming months, (i.e. Robbie Lawler vs. Johny Hendricks at UFC 171) it makes sense for the former RFA standout to sit back, relax and be at his best when he attempts to make a run at the top of the 170-pound division.

See you this summer.