Newfangled MMA fans may have difficultly recognizing the man who steps in opposite John Howard at this weekend's The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale, but long-time fans of the sport will revel in the UFC return of one of the sport's pioneers when Dennis Hallman steps back into the Octagon for the first time since 2005 when he dropped a unanimous decision to Jorge Rivera at UFC 55.

Hallman (39-12) was the first man to hand future UFC Hall-of-Famer and long time welterweight champion Matt Hughes a loss. He subsequently defeated Hughes again 2-years later, taking a total of 38-seconds to dispatch of Hughes in both fights combined.

At 34-years-old, Hallman, who is known for his solid ground game and excellent grappling skills, looks to make another run in the world's top Mixed Martial Arts outfit. 

Tommy Kail of FiveKnuckles.com recently caught up with Hallman to discuss his upcoming fight with John Howard, his role as an MMA pioneer and a variety of other topics.

FiveKnuckles.com: After fighting in what seems like nearly every other organization out there, how does it feel to back in the UFC?

Dennis Hallman: It feels good, what else can I say. I'm happy to be competing at the top level again. It's definitely where I want to be with my career. The goal of every fighter is to fight in the UFC and it's up to me to make sure I stay here. The UFC is where the top welterweights in the world are fighting and I want to show that I belong in that category. Having fought in many other organizations has allowed me to see just how popular the UFC really is. It's all going to depend on my performance. Of course it's important to me to want to stick around as long as I can. I've prepared for my upcoming fight properly this time and I'm looking to show that with my performance.

FiveKnuckles.com: At 39-12, you're overall record is very impressive and shows that you've definitely been around the block once or twice, but in the UFC you're just 1-3. How are you looking to improve on your overall UFC record?

Dennis Hallman: (Laughs) The thing about me is that I'm completely confident that I can beat any fighter on any given day and that's what makes me dangerous. You can be the number one guy in the world and I can beat you. It's more about me than it is my opponent. I can beat anybody in my mind and it's obvious that I want to go out there and fight the best guys. If I go 4-0 this time around in the UFC, then hopefully they'll take a liking to that and give me a shot at the title. Dan Hardy is 4-0 now and it's great what's happened to him. I'm not going to get my hopes up and I'm not going to look forward to anything except the John Howard fight. I want to stay focused. I can't disrespect John Howard by looking past him.

FiveKnuckles.com: Can you disclose the terms of your contract?

Dennis Hallman: I signed a four-fight deal over the span of eighteen months, but you know that means if I don't perform they can drop me at anytime. The deals fighters sign with the UFC are beneficial to the UFC. They let the fighter know...