John Makdessi vs. Edson Barboza booked for UFC 162 on July 6 in Las Vegas

Flashy lightweight striker Edson Barboza is back in action this summer as he locks horns with venerable Canadian prospect John Makdessi at the upcoming UFC 162 pay-per-view (PPV) event, scheduled for Sat., July 6, 2013, at the MGM Grand Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

UFC officials brought word of the pending battle earlier today.

Barboza (11-1) saw his rise to superstardom halted by grizzled veteran Jamie Varner at last year's UFC 146 event over the Memorial Day Weekend; however, the Brazilian was able to right the ship and get back into the win column by obliterating Lucas Martins earlier this month at UFC on FX 7.

Slowly but sure he's working his way back into the "mix."

Standing in his way is Makdessi (11-2), who overcame back-to-back losses during his 2011 fight campaign to register consecutive wins over Sam Stout at UFC 154 and John Cruickshank at UFC 158, both in his native Canada. "The Bull" has yet to submit anyone in 15 professional fights.

I get the feeling that streak won't be broken in "Sin City."

UFC 162: "Silva vs. Weidman" is headlined by a middleweight championship contest as top-ranked pound-for-pound fighter and longtime 185-pound kingpin Anderson Silva puts his title on the line against undefeated "All American" Chris Weidman.

Former lightweight titleholder Frankie Edgar is back at 145 pounds to challenge jiu-jitsu ace Charles Oliveira, while streaking featherweight contender Cub Swanson tries to bang it out with German kickboxer Dennis Siver.

For the latest UFC 162 news and notes check out our complete event archive right here. To check out the latest "Silva vs. Weidman" fight card and rumors click here.