Jimy Hettes vs. Mike Wilkinson added to UFC Fight Night 30 in Manchester

The UFC’s October return to England now has a featherweight fight as part of the lineup with both fighters looking to rebound from their first losses.

Jimy Hettes (10-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) will fight outside the United States for the first time when he meets England’s Mike Wilkinson (8-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 30. Sources close to the fight on Saturday confirmed the booking to MMAjunkie.com following an initial report from MMA Fighting.

UFC Fight Night 30 takes place Oct. 26 at Manchester Arena, also known as Phones 4U Arena, in Manchester, England. The main card will air on FOX Sports 2 following prelims on Facebook.

The card will be headlined by British fan favorite Michael Bisping in a middleweight bout against Mark Munoz. Also on the card is a lightweight fight between Ross Pearson and Melvin Guillard.

Hettes in September lost for the first time when he dropped a unanimous decision against Marcus Brimage at UFC 152 in Toronto. Prior to that, “The Kid” had started 10-0, including wins in his first two UFC fights – a submission win over Alex Caceres and a unanimous decision over Nam Phan, both in 2011.

The Pennsylvania native recently moved his training camp to the AMA Fight Club team led by Mike Constantino in Whippany, N.J., less than two hours from his previous home base. Hettes was scheduled to meet Steven Siler at UFC 159 in April in New Jersey, but was forced out with an injury.

Wilkinson, a lightweight cast member on the U.K. vs. Australia edition of “The Ultimate Fighter,” beat Grant Blackler by submission in his lone fight in the “TUF: Smashes” house. But he was injured in training and replaced by Richie Vaculik in the semifinals.

He was able to fight at the show’s live finale, though, UFC on FX 6 in Australia, and he took a unanimous decision from Brandan Loughnane in an exciting fight on the preliminary card. In June, though, he ventured to Brazil for UFC on FUEL TV 10, where he was stopped quickly into the first round by a Rony Jason triangle choke.

With the addition, the latest UFC Fight Night 30 lineup now includes:

• Michael Bisping vs. Mark Munoz
• Melvin Guillard vs. Ross Pearson
• Phil Harris vs. John Lineker
• Anthony Njokuani vs. Paul Taylor
• Ryan Jimmo vs. Jimi Manuwa*
• Jimy Hettes vs. Mike Wilkinson*

* Not officially announced

For more on UFC Fight Night 30, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: Jimy Hettes)