Duane "Bang" Ludwig will return to the Octagon for the first time since 2006 when he replaces the injured Sean Sherk against Jim Miller in a lightweight bout slated for the main card of UFC 108. The event is set for Jan. 2 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV. News of the match up was first reported by MMAWeekly.com.

As reported by Sherdog.com late Thursday evening, Sherk withdrew from the bout against Miller due to a cut over his right eye that required several stitches.

Miller seems like he can't keep an opponent for UFC 108, as match ups with his previous two opponents have been scratched. His first opponent Tyson Griffin was forced off the card with an injury, and now Sherk is out due to a cut suffered in training.

Ludwig (19-9) is fresh off of an impressive first round submission (punches) win over former UFC fighter Ryan Roberts at Ring of Fire 36 on Dec. 4. The win moved Ludwig to 3-1 in his last four bouts, with his only loss over the stretch coming in his previous fight against the undefeated Lyle Beerbohm at Strikeforce Challengers II: "Villasenor vs. Cyborg" in June.

Ludwig has put together a 2-0 UFC record in two previous stints with the promotion, scoring Octagon wins over Genki Sudo and Jonathan Goulet. During his nine-year career, he has competing for other notable promotions such as King of the Cage and Sengoku. He has finished 16 of his 19 career wins and holds notable victories over the likes of Charles Bennett, Thomas Denny, Jens Pulver, Tony Fryklund and Yves Edwards.

Miller (15-2) is also streaking, as he is 9-1 in his last 10 bouts, most recently picking up his second straight win by defeating UFC newcomer Steve Lopez at September's UFC 103 event. His lone loss over that 10-fight stretch came against Gray Maynard at UFC 96 in March. Miller sports a near flawless 4-1 UFC record, with other Octagon wins over Mac Danzig, David Baron and Matt Wiman.

Miller has scored stoppages in 11 of his 15 career wins and holds other notable wins over his four-year career against Muhsin Corbbrey, Chris Liguori and Bart Palaszewski.

Headlining UFC 108 is a light-heavyweight bout between former UFC light-heavyweight titleholder Rashad Evans and 14-1 American Top Team fighter Thiago Silva.

Make sure to check back with us the day of the event for free, live, round-by-round coverage of UFC 108 right here at FiveKnuckles.com! Join expert analyst Mike Williams as he takes you through the entire fight card blow-by-blow and then keep it right here for all the post-fight news and notes you can handle!