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Nate Diaz to fight Rafael dos Anjos

UFC lightweight Nate Diaz will return from a self-imposed one-year hiatus on Dec. 13, as he's agreed to face Rafael dos Anjos at a UFC on Fox event.

Officials announced the contest on Tuesday. The bout will co-headline the December event, which will take place at U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix.

Diaz (17-9) has not fought since a first-round TKO over Gray Maynard on Nov. 30, due to a contract dispute. He appeared as an assistant coach on the current season of The Ultimate Fighter reality series, alongside Gilbert Melendez.

UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta told ESPN.com on Monday the promotion had resolved the issue with Diaz and was in the process of booking him a fight. According to Fertitta, the UFC did not restructure Diaz' contract.

"Nate wants to fight," Fertitta said. "He's ready to fight and he wants to fight the best competition he possibly can."

Dos Anjos (22-7) is coming off a major upset over former lightweight champion Ben Henderson at a UFC Fight Night on Aug. 23. The Brazilian knocked out Henderson in the first round of a lightweight contest -- his second consecutive win by knockout.