Report: Hardy-Johnson Planned for March UFC Event

Dan Hardy (center): Dave Mandel | Sherdog.com

Exactly which event will host the welterweight showdown is unknown at this time; however, a report from MMAFighting.com suggests the bout could be included on the Spike TV-broadcast UFC Fight Night 24 show, expected to take place on March 26 in Seattle.

Hardy defeated four straight opponents upon entering the Zuffa LLC ranks in 2008, including the likes of Mike Swick and Akihiro Gono, but his career met turbulence in 2010. After losing a lopsided five-round title bout to champion Georges St. Pierre in March, the 28-year-old Englishman was knocked out in the first round of his match with Carlos Condit at UFC 120 in October. Despite this, “The Outlaw” remains ranked among the world’s top 170-pounders.

Johnson will see his first action since November 2009, when he was choked out by Josh Koscheck in a short-notice match at UFC 106. He was forced to withdraw from a scheduled March fight with John Howard after suffering a knee injury in training which required surgery. Considered one of the UFC’s brightest welterweight prospects, “Rumble” is 5-3 inside the Octagon, with all five wins coming by way of knockout.

While little is known about UFC Fight Night 24 -- including the proposed venue -- it is likely to be headlined by a light heavyweight contest between former champion Tito Ortiz and ex-Pride Fighting Championships star Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.