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Up-to-the-minute news about the UFC on FUEL TV 5/UFC Nottingham fight card, taking place September 29 in the UK
The battle between a Panzer and a Gunnar is no more, as an injury has taken German-born Pascal "Panzer" Krauss out of his September 29 welterweight bout against Iceland's Gunnar Nelson.
Stepping in to meet Nelson is TUF 9 veteran DaMarques Johnson, who has verbally agreed to face Nelson at a 175-pound catchweight. Johnson will be looking for retribution on British soil after losing to an Englishman in the TUF: Team US vs. Team UK finals.
Kruth vs. Maldonado in Nottingham No More updated September 13
Nottingham's loss turned out to be Rio's gain. Former world Muay Thai champion Jorgen Kruth -- whose UFC debut in April was postponed due to injury -- announced last week that he was retiring from MMA rather than fighting as planned on September 29.
That left his planned UFC Nottingham opponent, Fabio Maldonado, out of a fight, a problem that was solved yesterday when Maldonado was plucked to meet Glover Texiera on the main card of UFC 153.
The UK fight card will proceed with 11 bouts.
New Signings Complete Nottingham Card updated August 14
Two new signings to the UFC have completed the fight card for the September 29 FUEL TV event.
Undefeated Icelandic welterweight Gunnar Nelson, who has finished all of his opponents, looks to extend that streak to 10 as he takes on German-born Pascal Krauss.
Another undefeated prospect joins the UFC on that card as English light heavyweight Jimi Manuwa gets his first Octagon opponent in Kyle Kingsbury.
Watson, Hathaway Among Nottingham Additions updated July 3
It's official: UFC has signed British middleweight standout Tom "Kong" Watson to a promotional contract. Southampton's Watson (15-4) has won 11 of his last 12 bouts, defeating the likes of Murilo "Ninja" Rua, John Maguire, and Matt Horwich in the process.
The British MMA champion will make his UFC debut September 29 in Nottingham, England against Brad Tavares.
Also in Nottingham, top British welterweights have verbally agreed to fight as 18-3 submission specialist John Maguire takes on 15-1 John "The Hitman" Hathaway.
Plus, light heavyweight bangers will throw down as former world Muay Thai champion Jorgen Kruth makes his UFC debut against hard-hitting Fabio Maldonado.
Hardy, Mills, Sass Set to Fight on UK Soil updated June 20
Three more fights highlighting the best of British talent have been verbally agreed upon for UFC on FUEL TV </a>5 in Nottingham.
Four more fights highlighting the best of British talent have been verbally agreed upon for UFC on FUEL TV 5 in Nottingham.
Charismatic welterweights Dan Hardy and Amir Sadollah will meet in a clash of stand-up warriors who both seek to keep the momentum going after their recent Octagon wins. Also at 170 pounds, the owner of the UFC's fastest knockout, Duane Ludwig, will meet Gloucester's Che Mills, who debuted in the UFC with a 40-second finish of his own.
Unbeaten Liverpool lightweight Paul Sass, who looked impressive in his first-round UFC 146 finish of Jacob Volkmann, steps up to fight talented veteran Matt Wiman, who has won four of his last five fights.
The event will also feature a featherweight striking showdown as England's own Jason Young goes up against hard-hitting Robbie Peralta.
Nottingham Books a Big Main Event updated June 15
Two heavyweights coming off of dramatic finishes at UFC 146 will meet in the main event of UFC on FUEL TV </a>5 set for September 29. Ohio's undefeated Stipe Miocic and 6'11" Dutchman Stefan Struve have verbally agreed to a bout that will anchor the UFC's first-ever foray into Nottingham.
Struve's latest bout, against vicious striker Lavar Johnson, lasted just 65 seconds before Struve scored the victory via armbar -- the 16th submission win of the 24-year-old's pro career. At the same event, Miocic stopped then-undefeated Shane Del Rosario with elbows in the second round.
UFC Returns to the UK September 29 in Nottingham updated June 11
The Ultimate Fighting Championship® organisation has announced that it will make its highly anticipated return to the UK on Saturday 29th September at the Capital FM Arena in Nottingham, England. The card will feature a British bantamweight contender and a recent The Ultimate Fighter® </a>Live contestant, as well as many others.
The event will be a first for the UFC® in Nottingham and will see Newcastle’s Andy Ogle, a semifinalist on the most recent season of The Ultimate Fighter® Live - who was injured and unable to compete in the Finale, petitioned UFC President for a shot to fight in his native country and was given the chance to meet fellow TUF alum Akira Corassani of Sweden in a featherweight bout. While English bantamweight contender, and two-time UFC Fight of the Night winner, Brad Pickett, will square off against Canadian Yves Jabouin.
“We are very excited to be going to Nottingham for the first time,” commented UFC Managing Director of International Business, Marshall Zelaznik. “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 UK fans are among the most passionate UFC supporters on Earth and this is going to be a special night.”
The arena is the East Midlands’ premier entertainment venue, based in the heart of the city centre. It has hosted the biggest names in music, comedy and sport and will soon boast the UFC® among its elite list of tenants.
Tickets for UFC®: Nottingham will go on sale on 12th June at 9 a.m. for Fight Club Members only, on 13th June at 9 a.m. for newsletter members, and to the general public on 14th June at 9 a.m. Tickets will be priced at £75, £100, £150, £185, £225 and are available at The Capital FM Arena box office and online at www.capitalfmarena.co.uk.
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