UFC heading to Nottingham Sept. 29 with Pickett-Jabouin, Ogle-Corassani

[No More Sorrow]

The UFC officially is headed to Nottingham.

The organization today announced a Sept. 29 show in the English city, and a few Brits are on the card.


Announced bouts include bantamweights Brad Pickett (21-6 MMA, 1-1 UFC) vs. Yves Jabouin (16-7 MMA, 3-1 UFC) and "The Ultimate Fighter: Live" cast member Andy Ogle (8-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) vs. fellow lightweight Akira Corassani (9-3 MMA, 0-0 UFC).


The event takes place at Capital FM Arena, a 10,000-seat venue. UFC officials were not immediately available to clarify whether it'll be a numbered event (likely UFC 153) or a possible UFC on FX or UFC on FUEL TV show.


MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com) passed along news of the expected event this past month. UFC president Dana White recently mentioned UFC 146 winners and British fighters Dan Hardy (24-10 MMA, 5-4 UFC) and Paul Sass (13-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) as additional possibilities for the card.


"We are very excited to be going to Nottingham for the first time," UFC Managing Director of International Business Marshall Zelaznik stated. “Some of the biggest names in British mixed martial arts are from Nottingham, and the fans have been campaigning for us to bring a fight here for years. The U.K. fans are among the most passionate UFC supporters on Earth, and this is going to be a special night."


Pickett recently earned his third "Fight of the Night" award in four bouts with a second-round submission victory over Damacio Page at UFC on FUEL TV 2. Prior to the victory, the former WEC fighter was stuck in a 1-2 skid, though the losses came to proven veteran Scott Jorgensen and upcoming title challenger Renan Barao.


His opponent, a fellow WEC vet, recently picked up his third straight UFC victory with a unanimous-decision win over Jeff Hougland at UFC on FUEL TV 3. Prior to that, the Haitian-Canadian fighter and Tristar Gym member picked up split-decision victories over Ian Loveland and Walel Watson.


Meanwhile, Ogle, a surprise quarterfinalist on "TUF: Live," was one of only two cast members who weren't medically cleared to compete at the recent live finale. But he campaigned for a spot on the Nottingham card and got it. The fighter, who trains out of Sunderland, makes his promotional debut on the strength of a seven-fight win streak that includes five stoppages.


He takes on Corassani, a "TUF 14" cast member who makes his UFC debut after injuries delayed his first UFC fight. The Swedish fighter hasn't competed professionally since a February 2011 loss to Paul Reed in regional competition. He was on a six-fight win streak prior to the defeat.


For the latest on UFC in Nottingham, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.

I'm sort of expecting Dan Hardy to mainevent this show or something, It's only going to be an FX show anyways.

 

[The Cork]

This won't sell out.

Froch/Bute didn't and boxing is way bigger here than MMA.

Put at least one decent fight on and I'll go, looks like we are getting screwed again though.

 

[No More Sorrow]

Koscheck-Hardy was talked about right after UFC 146, when Hardy had the big win and BJ Penn turned down the fight with Kos so MAYBE but I wouldn't count on it : I expect hardy to be on the card regardless though as it's his home town. Do you live close to Nottingham?

 

[The Cork]

Live in the same county, West Midlands, about 30 miles away.

Can't really compare the distance to anything in USA because our whole country would fit inside California. :