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By Dan Stupp 1:26 AM Monday, October 3, 2011

If you think the UFC’s fall fight schedule is busy — eight major events take place in a nine-week span that ends on Nov. 19 — just wait until 2012.

That’s the warning from UFC president Dana White, who said this year’s frantic schedule will pale in comparison to next year’s.

Keep in mind that just six years ago the UFC hosted 10 events. This year, the number ballooned to 27. Next year, though, live UFC events could air more than 40 times.

“I don’t know how we’re going to do it, but we’re doing it,” White said. “You guys haven’t seen anything yet.”

For the UFC, it’s the perfect storm of circumstances. A milestone deal with FOX — the UFC’s first network-television deal — kicks off. It calls for four annual events on FOX, as well as 24 live fight nights in conjunction with “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series. FX also is expected to air a handful of live events.

Additionally, the UFC is continuing its aggressive international expansion with return stops to Brazil and Japan, as well as debuts in China and India. In fact, Feb. 25 is expected to host a first for the UFC: Two shows in one day (one in Saitama, Japan, and the other in Las Vegas).

Edwards’ next fight will be overseas: After picking up his first UFC victory on Sept. 17, Justin Edwards is headed overseas for his next bout.

Edwards (7-1), a former Urbana University football player who now does part of his training at the JG MMA Academy in West Chester Twp., is filling in for injured James Head (7-2) and meets fellow welterweight John Maguire (16-3) at UFC 138.

The event takes place Nov. 5 at LG Arena in Birmingham, England. Edwards competes on the night’s preliminary card, which is expected to stream on Facebook.

Edwards, who’s now based out of Bellefontaine, saved his UFC career by earning a unanimous-decision victory over Jorge Lopez (11-2) in his previous bout.

North vs. South in NAAFS title fight: Two of Ohio’s best-known lightweights clash in an Oct. 15 title fight. The NAAFS unified lightweight title is on the line when UFC vet and Mentor-based Jason Dent (19-11) takes on Cincinnati-based Bellator vet Daniel Strauss (16-4).

The title-unification fight headlines “NAAFS: Caged Fury 15” at the I-X Center in Cleveland.

The NAAFS is Ohio’s biggest MMA organization and has sent many fighters to major organizations such as the UFC, Strikeforce and Bellator. Most of its events take place in northern Ohio.

Dann Stupp is editor-in-chief of MMAjunkie.com, voted best media outlet in the 2008, 2009 and 2010 World MMA Awards. For the latest mixed-martial-arts news, go to MMAjunkie.com.

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