Credit: MMA Frenzy

UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar said Wednesday that he has recovered from a serious illness that has sidelined him since October and will return to the Octagon this summer to fight winner of the upcoming Shane Carwin vs. Frank Mir interim title matchup.

In an interview on ESPN’s SportsCenter with UFC President Dana White, Lesnar said he was first diagnosed with mononucleosis, which forced him to withdraw from a November matchup with Carwin, before his health issues escalated and he was ultimately diagnosed with diverticulitis, which led to an 11-day hospitalization and caused him to lose 40 pounds.

Though doctors recommended potentially career-ending surgery for the condition, a “miracle” recovery will allow Lesnar to fight again this summer for the first time since defeating Frank Mir in July at UFC 100.

Lesnar has resumed training in preparation for his return, adding 30 pounds back on.

“Let’s make it clear: I still am the UFC heavyweight champion,” said Lesnar

White added that if the Carwin-Mir winner is unable to fight due to injury, the winner of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Cain Velasquez, which takes place on February 21 at UFC 110, would fight Lesnar instead.