UFC will return to London next year with an event scheduled to take place at The O2 on Saturday, March 18.

Tickets will go on sale for UFC Fight Night London on January 27 for an event which the organisation says will kick-start UFC's European calendar.

The move sees UFC held in London at The O2 for the second consecutive year after Michael Bisping, Britain's first UFC world champion, defeated Anderson Silva there in February.

Michael Bisping beat Anderson Silva at The O2 in London in February this year

London's successful hosting of that event means another Fight Night will be there in 2017

UFC said in a statement that it is 'blown away by the enthusiasm' from UK based fans

'The UK, and in particular London, is an incredibly important market for us,' James Elliott, vice president and general manager of UFC for Europe, the Middle East and Asia, said.

'Time and time again we return to the UK and we are blown away by the enthusiasm and support from the fans.

'Never has there been a better time for mixed martial arts in this region. The UK has its first ever world champion and we have an extremely exciting pool of talented young British athletes looking to make names for themselves on the international stage.

'What better way to kick off 2017 than with a return to The O2 in London?'

Bisping fought Dan Henderson in Manchester in October and defeated him on points

UFC vice president James Elliott said the UK and London is an 'important market for us'

Five European events have taken place so far this year across Europe, with a sixth scheduled for November 19 in Northern Ireland.