Watson (photo via UFC.com)

By FCF Staff

It looks as though Nick Catone will get to fight in his home state next, as the UFC has announced that he and Tom Watson have verbally agreed to fight on February 1st in Newark, New Jersey. The middleweight bout will be part of UFC 169, which will be hosted by the Prudential Center.

Catone (9-4) hasn’t fought since last December, when he was choked out by a second round, triangle-choke from T.J. Waldburger at the TUF 16 Finale. “The Jersey Devil” is 2-3 in his last 5 bouts.

Watson (16-6) is also looking to get back on track, as the British fighter fell by unanimous decision to Thales Leites at UFC 163 in August. The noted striker has gone 3-2 in his last 5 fights.

UFC 169 will also feature bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz fighting interim champ Renan Barao, and featherweight champion Jose Aldo taking on Ricardo Lamas.