England’s two-year wait to host another title fight will continue, because of Tuesday’s confirmation of the October 16 event. Back at UFC 80 when BJ Penn defeated Joe Stevenson, it was the last time UFC gold was contested on British shores.

As Bisping v Akiyama gets top billing, it would appear no overseas marquee names would travel to London, although, by featuring Randy Couture in the main event for UFC 105 in Manchester, the UFC appeased disgruntlement aimed at England-heavy fight cards.

Marshall Zelaznik, UFC UK president was happy to field the criticism. The UFC 120 to UFC 95 headlined by Diego Sanchez and Joe Stevenson proved to be one of the most memorable events of 2009 and it was something he liked.

Zelaznik said, “I understand people being disappointed at the lack of fighters that they may perceive to be their favorite fighters. I’m the same. I’d love to see Jon Jones in the UK because I think the people would love him. But the thing is that the biggest critics are the most likely ones to be buying their tickets for the event. They are the hardcore fans, which is why their opinions mean a lot to us, but we believe we’re putting out the right card. Look back to UFC 95 and the criticisms we got prior to that card, but it turned out to be one of the best UFC events put on that year.”

He added, “There will be a lot of British fighters to get behind for the local fans, and I believe there will be one or two European fighters as well.”

During 2011, to make sure the UFC comes to England at least four times, Zelaznik has revealed some plans for the same.

In the middleweight bout between Leben and Akiyama, the former arguably produced the performance of his career by defeating Akiyama with still 20secs remaining on the clock. Believing he had secured a solid second-round victory, he left the Octagon. In 27 fights, only Anderson Silva has managed to knock Leben, yet, in Las Vegas, Akiyama came mightily close when he buckled The Crippler.

In October, Akiyama will be pitted against Britain’s Michael and the former is expected to headline UFC 120. Leben knows both men well. At UFC 89, Leben dropped a decision to Bisping. A record number on punches were landed on Leben by Bisping but it did not rock Leben. However, against the Japanese, the American admits he most definitely lost control of his senses.

Leben told The Daily Line, “Leaving the Octagon walking back, I turned to my coach, Burton Richardson, and said, ‘What was that, about halfway through the second round I finished him?”.

“He said, ‘No, Chris, you had about 20 seconds left in the third.’ That is a sign, definitely, I was rocked.

He added, “I really don’t remember a lot of the fight after the second round. It’s kind of a blur. I had a chance to go back and watch it yesterday, and definitely, my knees buckled, my legs gave, it was just one of those things where every time I get hit I wonder if I can hang on. I hung on, but he rocked me, for sure.”

Will he heed his warnings follow up at the UFC betting blog?

For the injured Wanderlei Silva, Leben stepped in as a late replacement, making it two fights in three weeks for the middleweight knockout artist. At the TUF 11 Finale, Aaron Simpson was defeated by Leben. In the defeat, Simpson staggered across the Octagon before collapsing in a heap.

Having fought in DREAM and K-1, Akiyama, 13-1, has a big reputation and he initially stalled over taking the Leben fight. By winning the bout, the Japanese Judoka felt there was little to gain and he expressed his derision at being given such little time to change his training for a new opponent.

“I take it a little bit personal. The bottom line is he fights for the UFC. He signed to fight on this card. His opponent got hurt. Opponents get hurt. That goes with our industry. His job is to get in there and mix it up. For him to say that I’m not a worthy opponent kind of throws me off. I’ve got 10 wins in the UFC. He’s got one win by split decision over Alan Belcher. I don’t think that qualifies him as saying I’m not a worthy opponent,” said Leben.

When the UFC asked him to replace Silva, Leben also admitted that he wasn’t exactly in the best of professional states.

“When (UFC matchmaker) Joe Silva called me up, it was Monday morning. Sunday I had a large pizza. I watched a movie, passed out, woke up with a couple of bumps and bruises, and I was already getting called to fight. My girlfriend told me, and I was like, ‘You’re joking me. You’re pulling my leg”, said Leben.

I don’t know if fighting again so soon will make it an easier bet on UFC 116 but it sure will make it more entertaining hopefully.