For the first time in four years, Ben Saunders will enter the UFC octagon.

UFC officials today announced Saunders (16-6-2 MMA, 4-3 UFC) will fight UFC newcomer and fellow welterweight Chris Heatherly (8-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 49.

UFC Fight Night 49 takes place Aug. 23 at BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla. FOX Sports 1 carries the main card while FOX Sports 2 airs most of the preliminary card.

Saunders vs. Heatherly is expected to be the lone UFC Fight Pass prelim.

Following a 4-3 record in his first UFC stint, which included a quarterfinal-round finish on “The Ultimate Fighter 6,” Saunders spent much of his time with Bellator MMA, where he went 7-3 with two tournament runner-up finishes to Douglas Lima. The 31-year-old jeet kune do specialist and fan favorite owns eight knockouts and five submissions in 16 career wins.

After getting out of a Titan FC contract, Saunders now meets Heatherly, the latest signee from the RFA promotion. The 26-year-old Midwesterner picked up a submission victory over Josh Cavan (and fought Chidi Njokuani to a no-contest) in the organization and now owns a three-fight winning streak.

The latest UFC Fight Night 49 card now includes:

The UFC Fight Night 49 lineup includes:

MAIN CARD (FOX Sports 1, 10 p.m. ET)

Rafael dos Anjos vs. Benson Henderson

Francis Carmont vs. Thales Leites

Jordan Mein vs. Mike Pyle

Mirsad Bektic vs. Max Holloway

Walmir Lazaro vs. James Vick

Tom Niinimaki vs. Chas Skelly

PRELIMINARY CARD (FOX Sports 2, 8 p.m. ET)

Alex Garcia vs. Neil Magny

Timothy Elliott vs. Wilson Reis

Beneil Dariush vs. Tony Martin

Matt Hobar vs. Aaron Phillips

PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC Fight Pass, 7:30 p.m. ET)

Chris Heatherly vs. Ben Saunders

For the latest on UFC Fight Night 49, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: Ben Saunders)