One is from the Netherlands and the other from Ohio so naturally they should headline the first ever UFC event in Nottingham, England, right? Apparently yes according to the UFC who announced today that Stefan Struve (24-5) vs Stipe Miocic (9-0) will headline UFC on FUEL TV 5 in Nottingham September 29th.
This is a bit of a surprise and perhaps a letdown for Dan Hardy fans. It’s been rumored that the Nottingham native would be fighting on this card, and if he did I couldn’t think of a better fighter to headline. Instead, the UFC picked this fight to headline and no word on if Dan Hardy will even be on the card.
Don’t get me wrong, this Struve vs Miocic is an excellent matchup. Both fighters have been on a roll lately and this fight affords the winner an opportunity to get a crack at some of the elite heavyweights in the division. It’s just that it seems to be an odd headliner for this event, and odd timing on the announcement.
Anyway, this will certainly be an enjoyable fight to watch. Stefan “The Skyscraper” Struve at 6’11″/211cm is one tall and imposing figure. At UFC 146 Urijah Faber at arguably 5’6″/168cm tweeted a photo of he and Struve that reminded me of Frodo standing besides Gandalf in LOTR. He’s won five of his last six fights including a very impressive first round armbar submission of Lavar Johnson his last time out.
Struve will face yet another tough opponent though in Stipe Miocic who’s no Frodo standing at 6’4″/193cm. Miocic really impressed his last time out when he overpowered a tough and undefeated Shane del Rosario with a TKO in the 2nd. This will be a step-up in competition for the 9-0 Miocic but it appears he’s ready. He’s only been a professional fighter for about two years but he’s an amazing athlete being a former collegiate wrestler and baseball player, and has now shown how tough he is in the Octagon.
They’re not Brits but a good headliner nonetheless. The updated UFC on FUEL TV 5 in Nottingham card:
Date: September 29, 2012
Location: Nottingham, England
Venue: Capital FM Arena
Broadcast: FUEL TV and Facebook*
- Stefan Struve (24-5) vs. Stipe Miocic (9-0)
- Brad Pickett (21-6) vs. Yves Jabouin (16-7)
- Andy Ogle (8-1) vs. Akira Corassani (9-3)
- Dan Hardy (24-10) vs. TBA*
- Paul Sass (13-0) vs. TBA*
* – Not officially announced