Dan Hardy Vs. Duane Ludwig Targeted For UFC 146

Former number one welterweight contender Dan "The Outlaw" Hardy will likely be returning to the cage after an extended hiatus this May, when he'll face MMA veteran Duane "Bang" Ludwig.

The UFC today revealed that both fighters have verbally agreed to face one another, with bout agreements expected to be signed shortly.

England's Dan Hardy (23-10) went from challenging Georges St-Pierre for the UFC welterweight title and holding his own against the champ, to riding a four-fight losing streak. Carlos Condit, Anthony Johnson and Chris Lytle contributed to Hardy's slump, which saw the fan-favorite Brit take several months off from the sport to focus on developing more as a fighter. Hardy last appeared in action at UFC Live: Hardy vs. Lytle this past August 14, where he was submitted by the retiring Lytle.

Though only 33-years-old, Duane Ludwig (21-12) officially counts himself among MMA's elder statesmen, having been active in both MMA and pro kickboxing since 2000 and facing many of both sports' best competitors since. Finally recognized as owning the fastest knockout in UFC history, Ludwig recently had a two-fight winning streak snapped by Josh Neer, who came back from some adversity to tap Ludwig out in the first round of their UFC on FX: Guillard vs. Miller match up.

UFC 146 will likely take place on May 26 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

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