THE Ultimate Fighting Championship is to hold its first-ever event in Scotland this summer.

The UFC - the world's biggest MMA (mixed martial arts) promotion - will hold UFC Fight Night Glasgow at The Hydro on July 18, with Scottish sensation Joanne Calderwood expected to fight on the card.

Fellow-Scot Robert Whiteford is also likely to be involved, UFC senior vice-president for Europe, David Allen, confirmed in Stockholm today.

And a number of other Scottish fighters could be given their chance on the sport's biggest stage.

It follows years of promises by the UFC that Scotland was on their radar, but the lack of a suitable venue held them back from bringing the show to Scotland.

Allen said: "Glasgow is a great city of sport, not just MMA, but the Commonwealth Games was there last year. There are two great football teams in the city and hopefully on the night, both sides of the city will come out and support the UFC."

Calderwood, who won her first UFC fight against Seo Hee Ham in Vegas in December last year, said: "People at home have been asking the UFC to come to Scotland for so long now, so I just know this will be a sell-out.

"It would be a dream come true for me to fight in Glasgow for the UFC. The opportunity to step inside the Octagon in front of a home crowd would be something I know I'd never forget."

And the news will also boost Glasgow's already soaring reputation as a top sporting venue, following on from last year's Commonwealth Games.

John Langford, director of live entertainment for the SECC and the SSE Hydro, said: "We're really excited to finally confirm that UFC is coming to the SSE Hydro.

"The UFC entertainment franchise is a global success story and we are incredibly pleased that they've chosen the SSE Hydro to further showcase the sport to audiences around the world."