After being sidelined by a pair of losses, followed by a few unexpected injuries, San Jose-based mixed martial arts fighter Mike “Quick” Swick returns to the Octogon for a televised bout this Saturday.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship fight, aired on “UFC on Fox 4” live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, will put Swick against fellow welterweight TUF alum DaMarques Johnson for the first fight on the bill.

A fighter representing San Jose gym American Kickboxing Academy, Swick was a part of the inaugural cast in 2005 of The Ultimate Fighter, a UFC reality show that helped bring MMA to mainstream television. 

Since his appearance on The Ultimate Fighter, Mike has been a fan favorite thanks to his quick hand speed, which delivered a handful of knockouts and slick submission skills to boost his record to 14-4 (10-3 UFC) in the Octagon.

Swick started off his Octagon career with a 9-1 run, working his way toward a title shot. Unfortunately, he’s been on a bit of a roller coaster lately, but Saturday’s match could help put him back on track.

With both fighters featuring a resume of highlight-reel finishes, a bout scheduled for three five-minute rounds is unlikely to go the distance. We’ll have to wait and see if a healthy, rested and rejuvenated Swick can live up to his nickname.

Not only a fan, Cap Calderon is also is a practitioner in the arts of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, boxing and kajukenbo. Follow him on Twitter at @fight4urwrite.