Tai Tuivasa is set for a heavyweight showdown in the co-main event at UFC 293 this Sunday.
The Wiradjuri man will take on giant Russian heavyweight Alexander Volkov at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney.
It will be Tuivasa's first bout of 2023 after sustaining back-to-back knockout losses in the second half of last year.
Before those losses, Tuivasa was riding a five-fight winning streak and had put his name into heavyweight title contention.
The Western Sydney local made his UFC debut back in 2017 and has quickly risen to the top with his brawling Muay Thai fighting style.
The sixth-ranked heavyweight has recorded seven wins in the UFC by knockout and has an overall mixed martial arts record of 14 wins (13 by KO) and five losses.
Tuivasa told reporters at a media day he was excited to be back fighting in his hometown.
"I'm pumped. It's been six years since I've fought in Sydney," Tuivasa told reporters.
"The camp has been awesome, I've trained in Sydney. I'm just ready to get out there and put a show on for the Aussies – get this party going."
His opponent, the 201cm Volkov, enters the contest full of confidence after coming off consecutive first-round wins against Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Alexander Romanov.
Volkov has a mixed martial arts record of 36 wins and 10 losses and is predominantly a stand-up fighter who generally uses his height and considerable reach to advantage.
Tuivasa is expecting a competitive contest but is confident his style will match up well against a taller opponent.
"I think he's a great opponent, I think it's going to be a great fight," he said.
"Obviously everyone knows how big he is, I don't think he's going to go too well with me on his chest coming forward.
"There isn't much of a game plan, we smack on and have the after party."
The man known as 'Bam Bam' is one of the crowd favourites in the UFC and is known for often doing a 'shoey' post-fight, where the fighter celebrates his victories by drinking beer from a borrowed shoe.
Tuivasa said he felt refreshed and ready to go ahead of this weekend's bout.
"I needed a break. The last Russian crushed my face in so I had to have a bit of time off," he said.
"I missed my family, I missed home. I'm not from much so family and the area means a lot to me.
"I needed to go home, so I went home – I feel good now and I am ready to roll."
