UK MMA fans rejoice - it seems several standout Brits will take part in UFC 89, scheduled for October 18th at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, England.  While the main event, featuring a middleweight showdown between The Ultimate Fighter alumni Michael Bisping and Chris Leben is sure to be a barnburner, recent announcements regarding the undercard have got the English talking.

Last week Pancrase London fighter Jess Liaudin confirmed he will be taking on Swedish submissions specialist David Bielkheden.  Both men are coming off of losses, with Liaudin being on the short end of a decision to Paul Taylor, while Bielkheden is hoping to bounce back from a brutal stoppage at the hands of Diego Sanchez. 

Speaking of Paul Taylor, the Walsall native is also expected to be on the card - his opponent being none other than UFC veteran Chris Lytle.  With a (2-2-0) record in the UFC, Taylor is in need of a win to enter the upper echelons of the 170 lbs division.

In heavyweight action, Doncaster native Neil Wain will be making his UFC debut against strike Shane Carwin.  Both men are undefeated and have solid finishing skills, with none of their past bouts making it past the first round.  Expect this one to be short, but sweet.

Finally, lightweight Liverpudlian Terry Etim is rumoured to be taking on Canadian striker Sam Stout.

UFC 89:  Bisping vs. Leben

October 18, 2008

National Indoor Arena

Birmigham, England

Bouts:

Michael Bisping vs. Chris Leben

Lyoto Machida vs. Thiago Silva

Rameaou Thierry Sokoudjou vs. Luiz Cane

Keith Jardine vs. Brandon Vera

Akihiro Gono vs. Dan Hardy

Marcus Davis vs. Paul Kelly

Jess Liaudin vs. David Bielkheden

Sammy Schiavo vs. Per Eklund

Sam Stout vs. Terry Etim

Shane Carwin vs. Neil Wain

Paul Taylor vs. Chris Lytle

It's official, upstart MMA promotion M-1 Challenge is coming to the UK.  Founded by Vadim Finklestein, the manager behind top ranked heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko, M-1 Challenge is a team based promotion, pitting different national squads up against each other to see which country reigns supreme.

The promotion is set to make its UK debut on September 27th in Nottingham, and will be co-promoted/hosted by UK MMA Limited, the promotional group behind Cage Warriors Fighting Championships.

Cage Warriors promoter Ian Dean revealed that the UK will be forming an M-1 Challenge squad sometime in 2009, however no news as to which fighters will be taking part.

"The UK team wont fight until 2009," said Dean.  "But we aim to do some superfights on the show that will feature UK fighters.  Hopefully we will mix some establishes names and some rising up-and-comers in the team, as the M-1 Challenge does contain some very good names and involves a lot of commitment and travel."

FOUR MATCH-UPS CONFIRMED FOR CAGE RAGE 28

Cage Rage has finalized four bouts for their upcoming card, scheduled for September 20th at The Troxy in London.  In main event action, The Ultimate Fighter 3 contestant Ross Pointon takes on Che Mills for the British welterweight title.  Pointon has greatly improved his game since dropping to 170 lbs, and looks to be one of the top fighters in the Cage Rage welterweight division, following the abdication of Paul Daley.

Also confirmed is a second welterweight battle between strikers Ross Mason and Scott Jansen.  Both men are coming off of brutal losses and should be hungry to prove themselves worthy of an eventual title shot.

In other action, British lightweight legend Leigh Remedios is set to face Judo specialist Robbie Olivier.  Remedios is a former UFC fighter, who has faced the likes of Genki Sudo, Jean Silva and Dennis Hallman.  The journeyman has been inactive for the last three years and is looking to make an impressive comeback come September.  Olivier is coming off a win over Pancrase London fighter Ashleigh Grimshaw at Cage Rage 27.

The final confirmed bout is a middleweight showdown between Kym Farid and crowd favourite, Sol Gilbert.

Cage Rage 28 VIP

September 20, 2008

The Troxy

London, England

Confirmed Bouts:

Ross Pointon vs. Che Mills

Ross Mason vs. Scott Jansen

Leigh Remedios vs. Robbie Olivier

Kym Farid vs. Sol Gilbert