12 Fights That Need to Be on the UFC's Next UK Card

The UFC appears to be returning to the UK in September, which will be the UFC's first return to the former imperial power since UFC 138. The event will be held in Nottingham, where Dan Hardy originally trained out of.

The card will most likely have a number of local talents on the card, at least the ones who don't have fights close to the card. Here are 12 fights we should see on the card, using talent from the UK and Europe for most of the fights to get them fighting closer to home. 

Note: These fights will be set in order of a 12-fight card that the UFC usually puts on. Yes, I know it is probably just a Fuel TV card, but this is hypothetical, so don't mind the star power.  

Prelim No. 1: Mark Scanlon (UK) vs. Besam Yousef (SWE)

Kicking off the card on Facebook, a welterweight bout between Mark Scanlon and Besam Yousef would be a treat to the European fans who traveled to see this event (especially from Sweden).

Scanlon has not fought since November of 2010, where he lost his UFC debut to Pascal Krauss. The Liverpool product is not scheduled for a fight yet, so this could work out well for him.

Like Scanlon, Yousef lost his UFC debut, leaving him in a must-win situation. The winner of this fight could keep his job, while the loser gets sent packing from the company.

Prelim No. 2: Andy Ogle (UK) vs. Akira Corassani (SWE)

In a battle of two Ultimate Fighter alumni who did not get the chance to fight on the finale, Akira Corassani (season 14) and Andy Ogle (season 15) are in need of a fight to show the UFC brass their stuff. What better than a loser-leaves-town match to test these two featherweight prospects?

I know Ogle fought on TUF as a lightweight, but he normally fights as a featherweight. This opens up an opportunity for Ogle and Corassani to duke it out for a spot on the UFC roster. What makes it even better, Ogle fights out of Sunderland, England, while Corassani is of Swedish decent. 

Another opportunity for two Europeans to put a show on for a European crowd.

Prelim No. 3: Jason Young (UK) vs. Max Holloway (USA)

Jason Young has three UFC fights in three different countries that aren't the USA. Might as well continue the foreign setting and let him fight on his home soil.

A nice matchup for him would be against American Max Holloway, who possesses great boxing to counter Young's kickboxing. The fight would provide fireworks, as well as a hometown favorite.

Prelim No. 4: Cyrille Diabate (FRA) vs. Jorgen Kruth (SWE)

A fight that was supposed to happen at UFC on Fuel in Sweden, Cyrille Diabate of France was supposed to battle fellow kickboxer Jorgen Kruth of Sweden.

Both men are elite kickboxers with big knockout ability. There is no doubt in my mind that this would be an absolute slugfest that would please the crowd and viewers at home.

Neither are scheduled for a fight right now, so this makes perfect sense. European fans would be treated to two of their own.

Prelim No. 5: Che Mills (UK) vs. Pascal Krauss (GER)

If you thought the Luftwaffe vs. the Royal Air Force was an amazing matchup in World War II, you must not have thought of a matchup between Che Mills and Pascal Krauss.

Mills is a skilled striker from Gloucester, England. He is a crowd favorite among the English, which should solidify his spot on the card. 

Krauss is Germany's best welterweight and a tough out for any 170-pounder in the UFC. Putting him on a European card like this wouldn't be stupid, as he would earn crowd reactions.

These two could put on a great fight, so why not do it.

Prelim No. 6: Paul Sass (UK) vs. TJ Grant (CAN)

Headlining the undercard on Facebook could be a lightweight scrap between the UK's resident submission artist Paul Sass and Canada's tapout machine TJ Grant.

This would be a great grappling match, as both men have great jiu-jitsu and submission skills. A win by either man could propel them to a top-10 matchup in the lightweight division, especially if the win is definitive.  

Main Card No. 1: John Hathaway (UK) vs. John Maguire (UK)

Kicking off the card on Fuel TV, a bout between Brighton, England's John Hathaway and Cambridge's John Maguire would be a great way to start the main card.

Hathaway is one of the few Englishmen in the UFC with good offensive wrestling. Maguire is a magnificent submission artist, using his polished ground game to earn a 2-0 record in the UFC.

Fans would be torn in the UK as to who to cheer for, but it would undoubtedly be a great fight.

Main Card No. 2: Tom Watson (UK) vs. Alessio Sakara (ITA)

First off, Tom Watson is not in the UFC right now, meaning he would need to be signed. In my opinion, Watson is one of the best middleweights not in the UFC, which would warrant his signing.

Putting him in his first UFC bout with a gatekeeper like Alessio Sakara would not only be a good test for Watson, but it would pit an Englishman versus an Italian. That kind of billing would draw more European interest, helping ticket sales and views on TV.

If Watson is able to get by Sakara, it will prove he can hang with the big boys.

Main Card No. 3: Brad Pickett (UK) vs. Brian Bowles (USA)

The lone bantamweight fight on this card, pitting Brad Pickett against Brian Bowles could help the winner emerge as a top contender to the bantamweight strap.

Pickett is a London native with a big fan following in England. Fans love Pickett, which should earn him a spot on the card.

Bowles is a former WEC champion, which makes this such a high-profile fight in the division. The winner could find himself a fight or two away from a title shot.

Main Card No. 4: Ross Pearson (UK) vs. Charles Oliveira (BRA)

A battle between two former lightweights, pitting Ross Pearson against Charles Oliveira would be a huge fight. Both men have great momentum right now and could be future title contenders.

Of course, Pearson, a Sunderland native, has to get past Cub Swanson a week from Friday, but I have confidence he will pass that test. He and Oliveira would be an interesting fight, as both have skills on the feet and love to strike.

Whoever wins, we all win as fans because this fight would be phenomenal. 

Co-Main Event: Dan Hardy (UK) vs. Thiago Alves (BRA)

In the co-main event of the night, Nottingham's own Dan Hardy, who has recently returned to the win column, should take on recently injured Thiago Alves, who was forced off the UFC 149 card, but could possibly be ready in time for this card.

Both men are lethal strikers. Alves has devastating leg kicks and powerful hands. Hardy also has dynamite in his hands, as well as decent kicks. It would be a "Fight of the Night" in the making.

Main Event: Michael Bisping (UK) vs. Vitor Belfort (BRA)

The top three fights on this card, including this main event, would be an Englishman versus a Brazilian. This is an interesting billing, which could garner even more attention from the Brazilian community.

Michael Bisping may not be ready in time, but if he is, a bout against another top middleweight in Vitor Belfort would be a great main event in the UK. Both men are not far from a title shot, and the winner could find himself in a No. 1 contender's fight.

This would suffice the UK's appetite for a star-studded card and have important, meaningful fights. What do you think of the card? Leave your comments below of what you would like to see or change.