Mike Swick vs. David Mitchell at UFC Fight For The Troops 2

The UFC’s next Fight For The Troops event, tentatively scheduled for Jan. 22 in Fort Hood, Texas, is starting to gain a lot of steam from rumored fights, and another one can be added to the quickly expanding list.

Mike Swick is expected to return after nearly a year out of the game to face David Mitchell in his sophomore effort in the Octagon at the UFC event in Fort Hood. MMAWeekly.com sources confirmed that both fighters have verbally agreed to the bout. They will fight in the welterweight division.

Swick (14-4) has been out of action since losing his second straight bout, to Paulo Thiago at UFC 109, to deal with a condition called severe spastic esophagus, which was originally misdiagnosed as a stomach disease called dyspepsia. The condition forced Swick to implement a restrictive diet that he says made it difficult to maintain muscle mass and keep his energy levels up.

“I wanna get this under control and then gain a little weight back before fighting (again),” Swick told MMAWeekly.com back in August. “Hopefully the end of the year.”

He will miss his end of the year target, but only by a few weeks.

Swick on Monday evening posted to his Twitter account that he is having an experimental procedure on Tuesday morning at 7 a.m. to try and fix the severe spastic esophagus.

Mitchell (11-1) made his Octagon debut at UFC Fight Night 22 in September, losing a unanimous decision to T.J. Waldburger. It was only the second time in his career that Mitchell has gone to a decision, the first being a split decision victory over former “Ultimate Fighter” competitor War Machine.

Having submitted nine of his first 11 opponents, Mitchell could prove an interesting test of styles for Swick, who likes to stand and bang, but has a sharp ground game as well.

There is no clear headline bout yet for UFC Fight For The Troops 2, but a key lightweight bout between Yves Edwards and Melvin Guillard is also expected to don the Jan. 22 fight card.

(UPDATED at 9:15 p.m. PT on Nov. 1 to note Swick’s plans for treatment.)



