Birmingham's National Indoor Arena will be the venue for Hardy's first ever battle in the Octagon on 18th October and he's under no illusions - he's in for a difficult debut.

The opponent will be experienced Japanese fighter Akihiro Gono, and in an interview on the UFC website, Hardy said it would be the biggest test of his career.

The Team Rough House welterweight said: "I have been watching Gono my whole career."

"He has an interesting style and has fought some of the best in
the world."

"I think it will make for a very technical and exciting fight and definitely the toughest of my career so far."

"To be given a fighter like Gono in my debut is a gift. It also shows that the UFC knows I can deal with top-level fighters, which is a huge compliment."

Despite Gono's status as a 47-fight veteran who has taken on some of the biggest names in mixed martial arts, 26-year-old Hardy is confident that youth will win over experience.

"My advantages are my age and my hunger," he said.

"I know he doesn't want the win as much as me. The Dan Hardy that shows up in October will be so much better than ever before."

For more information and tickets for UFC89 in Birmingham, visit www.ufc.com