Eric Schafer couldn’t have scripted it any better. After a successful return to the cage against Chris Albandia just a week ago, the Wisconsin veteran has been invited back into the UFC to take on Aaron Simpson at UFC 136 on October 8.

First announced by mmajunkie.com, the substitution for the injured Nick Catone will be Schafer’s third stint within the premier organization. With a career record of 12-5-2, “Red” has reigned victorious over Houston Alexander, Antonio Mendes, and Rob MacDonald within the UFC, but was let go following losses to Ryan Bader and Jason Brilz.

His matchup with Simpson will mark Schafer’s UFC debut in the middleweight division. The former light heavyweight has trimmed down to 185-pounds with the help of his teammates at his new Red Schafer Mixed Martial Arts in Milwaukee.

Simpson, who holds a record of 10-2, has become a staple in the middleweight division and is currently riding a two-fight win streak over Brad Tavares and Mario Miranda. The only career losses for Simpson have come against tough matchups of Mark Munoz and Chris Leben.

In an interview with US Combat Sports just over a week ago Schafer openly stated that he would be waiting by the phone in case the UFC needed an injury replacement. Even he couldn’t have expected it to ring so soon.