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Ryan Bader was forced out of a key match with Glover Teixeira after suffering a knee injury earlier this year.

Now, the former Ultimate Fighter winner is targeting a return to action in August, as he told FightLine.com recently.

“Hit some light squats for the first time, knee is feeling better,” Bader said. “August maybe (for a return). Nothing official but I will be ready then.”

Bader rebounded from a loss last year to defeat Vladimir Matyushenko via submission in January. He is 3-1 in his last four fights, while all three of his career defeats have come at the hands of ex or current UFC champions (Jon Jones, Lyoto Machida, Tito Ortiz).

Gegard Mousasi v. Ryan Bader

Well, we saw what we all expected to see. Gegard Mousasi dominated Ilir Latifi with the jab. He looked lackadaisical and bored but that’s the way he always looks. He commented that he was injured during the fight as well which could have played into his slow performance. Overall though, he dominated a much weaker opponent throughout the entire match. Honestly, the match I want to see is the originally scheduled match but due to injuries that won’t happen. Mousasi didn’t sustain any damage but it was reported by MMAFighting that Mousasi will undergo knee surgery for a previous injury. Meanwhile, I’m sure Gustafsson will be given a fight quickly because his cut was not all that bad. Ryan Bader is aiming for a summer return from his own knee injury. Put the two together and see if Mousasi can defend the takedowns of Bader; if Mousasi can’t stay on his feet against Bader, he has no business fighting Jon Jones.

Ross Pearson v. Bobby Green

Ross Pearson also suffered an injury pre-fight. According to MMAJunkie, Pearson injured his food before the bout. That didn’t stop him from beating down Ryan Couture, however. He now has two straight wins at lightweight so it’s time to give him a top-25 guy and see how he fares. Bobby Green just submitted Jacob Volkmann at UFC 156 and is also looking for a step up in competition. Green would provide a stiff test to Pearson’s grappling and it would be interesting to see if he would be able to stay on his feet.

Matt Mitrione v. Brendan Schaub

“Meathead” made quick work of Philip De Fries. Brendan Schaub recently got back to his winning ways against Lavar Johnson at UFC 157. The two strikers should make for a violence-filled heavyweight matchup. Both guys hit hard and I doubt the fight would go to a decision. Also, the two never fought on The Ultimate Fighter so it will be a reunion of sorts.

Brad Pickett v. Urijah Faber/Scott Jorgensen

The Bantamweight division still hasn’t exactly filled out yet so Pickett is able to move quickly up the ladder with two straight wins. He looked technically sound against Mike Easton and he deserves to get a step closer to a title shot. Urijah Faber and Scott Jorgensen are going at it next week on the finale of the Ultimate Fighter so the winner will be a nice step up for Brad Pickett.

Diego Brandao v. Conor McGregor

Both of these guys looked like beasts on Saturday. Let’s put them in a cage together and see whether or not Brandao’s grappling or McGregor’s striking will come out victorious. Brandao has had issues with cardio but with two wins over decent competition, he may be slowly establishing himself in the featherweight division. He has the skills to be dangerous, but McGregor looks downright scary at this point.

Akira Corassani v. Max Holloway/Dennis Bermudez

Corassani definitely got a big win for his career but he is still at the bottom of the featherweight division. The winner of the bout between Holloway and Bermudez at UFC 160 would be a good way to get him another fight. Max Holloway just got a win over Leonard Garcia and he is still young in his career. Rushing him at this point would be a mistake so a guy like Corassani will provide a small step up in competition. Corassani brings experience and toughness but will have a hard time sticking around long term in the UFC’s deep featherweight division.

Glover Teixeira has received a new opponent for UFC 160, as Ryan Bader has suffered an injury. In his place will step James Te Huna.

The card takes place May 25 from Las Vegas. The placement of the bout is currently unknown.

Te Huna (16-5) is a riding a four-fight win streak since falling to contender Alexander Gustafsson. He is 10-1 in his last 11 overall, and 5-1 inside the Octagon.

Teixeira (20-2) scored the biggest win of his career earlier this year, defeating former UFC champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. He is 3-0 in the UFC.

The loss of Bader hurts the status of his match for Teixeira, as the Brazilian likely could have made a solid case for a future title shot with a win. Now, he will be the heavy favorite and must avoid a slip-up.

A pair of light heavyweights who own recent victories over Quinton “Rampage” Jackson will square off at UFC 160, as Ryan Bader and Glover Teixeira have agreed to meet.

The card goes down May 25 from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Bader (15-3) earned his eighth Octagon victory in January when he submitted Vladimir Matyushenko. The former Ultimate Fighter winner is now 8-3 in his UFC career.

Teixeira (20-2) also competed on that same card from Chicago, defeating Jackson. The Brazilian has earned three wins since joining the promotion, including stoppage victories over Kyle Kingsbury and Fabio Maldonado.

Ryan Bader broke the fastest UFC submission record last night against Vladimir Matyushenko.

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A light heavyweight contest between Ryan Bader and Vladimir Matyushenko has been added to UFC on Fox 6 in January.

The bout will likely be part of the preliminary card, which also received David Mitchell vs. Simeon Thoresen on Monday. Both matches were confirmed by UFC officials.

Bader (14-3) is coming off a loss to Lyoto Machida this past summer. He had hoped to make it two in a row over former UFC champions after topping Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in Japan.

Matyushenko (26-6) has won seven of his 11 UFC bouts, but was stopped by Alexander Gustafsson last December. “The Janitor” was forced out of a planned match with Matt Hamill due to an injury earlier this year.

Mitchell (11-2) will likely need a win to remain in the UFC, having lost his two prior Octagon bouts, while Thoresen (17-3-1) is 1-1 with the promotion.

Chris Weidman lives in New York, and dealt with Hurricane Sandy as it approached his home on Monday.

Weidman, via Twitter and Facebook, made several posts regarding the storm. He did say that his wife and kids were out of harms way, but that he planned to remain in the home to protect it.

The UFC middleweight later posted photos of a tree that he cut down and his meal for the night. The East Coast was hit hard by Hurricane Sandy on Monday, as weather continued to trouble the area on Tuesday.

Ryan Bader, a fellow UFC fighter, posted on Twitter that Weidman had lost his house due to the nasty storm.

Thoughts go out to @chrisweidmanufc & his family. Lost his home in the storm on the east coast.Please show him your support. @magllc @ufc

— Ryan Bader (@ryanbader) October 30, 2012

Weidman is scheduled to face Tim Boetsch in December. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Weidman family and all those affected by the storm.

Bader explains what went wrong during the Machida fight.

Rampage Jackson faced humiliating defeat at the hands of Jones back in September of last year. Jackson has only fought one time since then; it resulted in a loss to Ryan Bader in February of 2012, bringing Jackson to his first ever back-to-back losses as a professional mixed martial artist. Now, for whatever reason, Jackson thinks he has the formula to stop his superior adversary.