One man's loss is another man's gain.

Thanks to an injury suffered by T.J. Grant, the door has been opened for former Ultimate Fighter Efrain Escudero to make his return to the Octagon to square off against Jacob Volkmann at UFC 141 on Dec. 30 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The promotion brought word of the change just last night.

Escudero was unceremoniously dropped by the UFC back late last year after failing to make weight for a bout against Charles Oliveira and subsequently losing the fight by way of submission. He's compiled a record of 5-1 since then and with UFC building an insanely ambitious schedule for 2012, his past transgressions have been forgiven for one more shot in the big leagues.

But it won't be easy.

Standing in his way is Jacob Volkmann, he of Barack Obama call out fame.

After opening his UFC career with back-to-back losses to Paulo Thiago and Martin Kampmann, "Christmas" has quietly strung together four consecutive wins, including a UFC on Versus 5 unanimous decision nod over former WEC star Danny Castillo.

If he can keep the gravy train rolling, it will get increasingly difficult to ignore.

UFC 141 will take place on a Friday, on Dec. 30, 2011, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event will be headlined by a mega-fight pitting former heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar taking on former Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem.

Jon Fitch is also scheduled to return from shoulder surgery against budding welterweight contender Johny Hendricks.

For more on UFC 141: "Lesnar vs. Overeem" click here.