DaytonDailyNews.com

Although the UFC hasn't announced a single bout for its return to Nationwide Arena, at least three area products have finalized or are close to signing bout agreements for UFC 96, which will be the UFC's third consecutive March trip to Columbus.

Ohio fight fans will get a chance to see one of the region's top prospects when Dustin Hazelett (12-4), a jiu-jitsu phenom based at Team Jorge Gurgel in West Chester, meets behemoth Ben Saunders (7-0-2).

Hazelett has lost only once in his past five fights — to Josh Koscheck (one of the world's top-five welterweights) at the 2008 UFC event in Columbus. At 6-foot-1, Hazelett is one of the sport's bigger 170-pounders, but Saunders takes the term welterweight to a whole new level. The 6-foot-2 former middleweight cuts drastic weight for weigh-ins but bulks back up to nearly 200 pounds by fight night.

Although Hazelett couldn't confirm the bout since agreements haven't been signed, he's not too worried about opponents of any size.

"A lot of my style is based on technique," Hazelett said. "I think technique, when done right, can counter size and strength."

Also expected to compete on the card is Cincinnati native Matt Hamill (5-2), who makes a quick return to action after a Dec. 27 beatdown of Reese Andy. The former three-time NCAA Division III national wrestling champion meets Mark Munoz (5-0), a national champion and two-time All-American at Division I powerhouse Oklahoma State.

Additionally, Beavercreek's Mike Patt (12-3), a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, looks to rebound from a loss to Tim Boetsch in his octagon debut when he meets Brandon Vera (9-3). Patt likely needs a win to stay in the UFC.

The UFC will officially announce the complete UFC 96 line-up in the next few weeks.

Yvel cleared for

Affliction Entertainment caught a break while finalizing its Jan. 24 "Day of Reckoning" fight card.

The upstart organization, which hopes to someday battle the UFC for MMA supremacy, brought in controversial Dutch striker Gilbert Yvel (35-12-1) to meet top heavyweight contender Josh Barnett (23-5).

However, Yvel's spotty resume includes biting an opponent, repeatedly poking an adversary's eyes, and even assaulting a referee. Yvel claims he's cleaned up his act and said, pending a successful medical evaluation, he's been cleared by California's athletic commission to compete at the pay-per-view event.

"Day of Reckoning" takes place at the Honda Center in Anaheim and features a main event between heavyweight superstars Fedor Emelianenko (28-1) and Andrei Arlovski (14-5).

Dann Stupp is editor-in-chief of MMAjunkie.com, a content partner site of Yahoo! Sports. For the latest MMA news and rumors, go to www.mmajunkie.com.