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UFC lightweight Paul Kelly’s next opponent is no longer a mystery.

Shortly after the UK-based fighter announced his return at UFC 112 on Thursday afternoon, MMAjunkie.com learned that Kelly (9-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) is set to face Matt Veach (11-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) at the April event in Abu Dhabi.

Sources close to the negotiations indicate that at least one fighter has signed his bout agreement and the fight is a virtual lock.

UFC 112 takes place in Abu Dhabi at Concert Arena at the Ferrari World theme park on Yas Island. The main card, headlined by middleweight champ Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort, airs on pay-per-view.

Kelly vs. Veach is expected to be part of the night’s un-aired preliminary card.

Kelly, a British fighter who made his pro debut in late 2005, looks to rebound from a TKO loss to Denis Siver that came via spinning back kick at November’s UFC 105 event. The loss, which was just the second of his career, derailed the momentum he had built with back-to-back unanimous-decision victories over Troy Mandaloniz (UFC 95) and Roli Delgado (UFC 99).

Kelly ’s only other career loss came to Marcus Davis at UFC 89 in 2008.

In his most recent appearance, Veach took a significant step up in competition when he faced now-top contender Frankie Edgar at The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale this past December. The H.I.T. squad-trained fighter was submitted in the second round. The loss was Veach’s first setback in 12 professional appearances.

Veach made his octagon debut 10 months prior with a first-round TKO victory over Matt Grice.

Nate Marquardt recently told the Canadian press how he thinks GSP will “kill” Dan Hardy in the up and coming title fight at UFC 111.

The perceptive Marquardt also noted that Hardy is ‘a young guy’  (one year younger then GSP!) and a good B-Level figther.

“I think Georges is going to kill him,” Marquardt told The Canadian Press on Friday. “I think Dan Hardy’s an up-and-comer guy, he’s a young guy. He has a lot of potential,” said Marquardt, a contender in the 185-pound division. “In my opinion, he’s a good B-level fighter and I think Georges is going to destroy him. “He’s young, that’s the thing. He could be a great fighter one day. But he’s not there and he’s getting his shot way too early.”

Funny you should say that Nate, a lot of people said the same when Anderson Silva TKO’ed you in the first round at UFC 73, ouch!

UFC 108 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas.

In the Main Event Rashad Evans took the first two rounds with a series of takedowns which nullified Silva’s striking. For round 3 Silva rocked Evans and it looked like Silva may be on the verge of getting a TKO, but evans recovered to close the round and get a unanimous decision. All in all a boring fight won on picking someone up and dropping them on their ass.

Nottingham, UK based striker Paul ‘Semtex’ Daley landed a devastating big left in round 1 which sent a stunned Hazelett to his back. Daley then finished up with three ground strikes before Herb Dean jumped in to stop the fight and protect Hazelett from any unnecessary suffering.

Junior Dos Santos continued to display his crisp striking and KO punching power with a counter left which dropped Gilbert Yvel to the floor where the fight was finished in a flash of punches and stopped by Herb Dean.

Jim Miller Duane Ludwig both got off with some good combination’s coming from both each fighter until Miller dropped Ludwig with a right hook to then take side control which he quickly progressed to an armbar to which Ludwig tapped to.

Cole Miller came back from getting rocked by Dan Lauzon in the first round to get a Kimura from a reverse triangle.

Sam Stout outshone Joe Lauzon with his striking and kicks. Stout got the unanimous decision and provided a fine display for the crowd.

Full Results:

Rashad Evans def. Thiago Silva via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
Paul Daley def. Dustin Hazelett via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 2:24.
Sam Stout def Joe Lauzon via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27).
Jim Miller def Duane “Bang” Ludwig via submission (arm-bar) – Round 1, 2:31.
Junior Dos Santos def Gilbert Yvel via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:07
Martin Kampmann def Jacob Volkmann via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 4:03.
Cole Miller def Dan Lauzon via submission (kimura from inverted triangle) – Round 1, 3:05.
Mark Munoz def Ryan Jensen via submission (punches) – Round 1, 2:30.
Jake Ellenberger def Mike Pyle via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 0:22.
Rafaello Oliveira def John Gunderson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).