NOTTINGHAM'S Dan Hardy will take on explosive American Rory Markham at UFC 95 at the O2 Arena in London, on February 21.

It will be televised along with the main event, Joe Stevenson v Diego Sanchez.

Hardy lived up to his billing as the top British 170-pound prospect in his UFC debut with a split decision win over the crafty Akihiro Gono at UFC 89 last year.

The Outlaw has won nine of his last ten fights – and that lone defeat was only because of a disqualification in Japan.

Markham, a former International Fight League welterweight standout, also kicked off his UFC career with a win last July.

He sparked Brodie Farber with a head kick at UFC Fight Night 14, earning a $25,000 bonus for the "Knockout of the Night."

It's a tough test for Hardy because the Miletich-trained fighter (16-4-0) has never gone the distance in 20 professional fights since his pro debut back in 2003.