UFC 111 (Feb. 21)

The UFC is targeting a March 2010 date for welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre's title defense with No. 1 contender Dan Hardy, a source with knowledge of the situation told FanHouse.

Once formally agreed to by both sides, the matchup would likely be the main event of UFC 111, which is expected to take place at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

The 28-year-old St. Pierre (19-2) is one of MMA's hottest commodities after signing major sponsorship deals with Gatorade and Under Armour within the last year. He has been out of action since injuring his groin during the course of a successful defense against Thiago Alves at July's UFC 100.

A winner of six straight matches, St. Pierre is considered to be among the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world, holding wins over notables including BJ Penn, Jon Fitch, Matt Hughes and Alves.

Hardy, meanwhile, vaulted into the title picture with a string of four straight wins in the UFC, most recently defeating Mike Swick in a No. 1 contenders match at UFC 105 earlier this month.

Known for his red mohawk, the ability to play pyschological games with his opponent and a rapidly improving all-around game, the flashy Brit has won 12 of his last 13 matches and has a career mark of 23-6.

The fight between the two had been rumored for Australia's UFC 110 event, but now it appears that New Jersey is the likely destination.

If it is held in New Jersey, the event would be the first UFC visit to the state since UFC 78 in Nov. 2007. With neighboring New York likely to host a crucial vote on MMA sanctioning in 2010, the UFC's visit next door could also serve as a lobbying tool, giving New York legislators an up-close look at the organization and its financial impact in bringing an MMA fight night to the state.