By Matt Molgaard
MMANEWS.COM Staff Writer

Longtime middleweight standout Tom Watson (15-4) has finally signed a multi-fight contract with the UFC. Watson, who’s flown under the radar the last few years, despite picking up notable victories over quality opposition such as Murilo “Ninja” Rua, John Maguire and Matt Horwich, enters the UFC ranks having picked up 11 wins in his last 12 fights.

Watson, who stopped Jack Marshman with some vicious elbow work in his last outing at BAMMA 9, will be welcomed to the fold by the durable Hawaiian, Brad Tavares (8-1). Tavares, recognized as a product of the UFC’s reality show, The Ultimate Fighter, has tasted defeat just one time in his career: that being a decision loss to Aaron Simpson. Victories over Phil Baroni, Dongi Yang and Seth Baczynski anchor his résumé.

Watson and Tavares are tapped to collide at UFC on FUEL TV 5.

The action emanates from the Capital FM Arena in Nottingham, England (where Watson will enjoy the luxury of a partisan crowd) on September 29th; A heavyweight tilt pitting Stipe Miocic versus Stefan Struve serves as the evening’s main event.

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