Dana White makes major announcement on UFC pay-per-view show in UK with official confirmation ‘days’ away

THE UFC will return to the United Kingdom later this year for a blockbuster pay-per-view.

Mixed martial arts' top promotion opted not to make their annual trip to London in March following four visits to the O2 Arena in 16 months.

But Dana White has revealed that UK-based UFC fans will get a chance to see homegrown stars in action in just a few months' time.

He told TNT Sports: “I have an English heavyweight champion [Tom Aspinall] and lots of other European stars.

“There are two champions now out of England, so we have these teams that build all their different pieces to the puzzle.

“Then we come together with me, and then I start trying to fit the pieces of the puzzle together.

“I have got great fights lined up for the UK fans, and I'm excited to get back there.”

SunSport understands Manchester is a front-runner to host the proposed card.

The show will likely feature interim heavy and welterweight champs Tom Aspinall and Leon Edwards.

And an announcement about the eagerly-anticipated event could be made in a matter days.

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White said: “Literally days, we’re right there working on the stuff.

"We got some bad-ass plans for England.

“It’ll be a numbered, pay-per-view card.”

Welterweight king Edwards - Britain's second UFC titleholder - will likely defend his crown in a rematch against Belal Muhammad.

It's unclear who Aspinall will defend his interim heavyweight title against as undisputed champ Jon Jones is set to face Stipe Miocic later this year.

The Atherton assassin has, however, already publicly agreed to a rematch with former foe Curtis Blaydes.