SBG Ireland's John Redmond will finally return to the cage at the SSE Arena Wembley, London in June, Mirror Sport can reveal.
The 7-13 fan favourite hasn't fought since a controversial bout with Charlie Ward at Bellator 187 in November 2017, when after losing by TKO in round one, Conor McGregor invaded the cage.
And now he faces unbeaten middleweight prospect George Tokkos, hoping to get his first win since September 2016.
Speaking exclusively to the Irish Mirror online, 'Johnny Jitzu' said: "I've been working on my skills.
"I moved over to SBG Ireland a year ago, and I was supposed to fight this guy George on the Dublin card in February but he pulled out due to visa reasons.
"He couldn't get a visa to fight in Ireland, even though he's a British citizen, which I didn't really understand.
"He knew he was fighting me three months in advance, why didn't he sort it all out then? But look, now we're going to fight in his hometown, and I'm happy about that."
Redmond has trained under Andy Ryan previously, but swapped Team Ryano for John Kavanagh's SBG last year to be able to train with more middleweights.
James Gallagher aiming to become 'biggest star in MMA' after signing mega-deal with Bellator
"I needed the bigger 185 pounders, most of the unique middleweights are in SBG Ireland and I need the big bodies, it's as simple as that.
"Of course I wanted the coaching of Dave Roche and John Kavanagh as well, that goes without saying."
The Dublin-born middleweight, who has appeared on hit TV show Vikings, last fought in a losing effort to now-teammate Charlie Ward, who won by first round TKO with a second to go in the round at the 3 Arena in 2017.
Before the referee could make the result official, then-UFC Lightweight champion and close friend of Ward, Conor McGregor jumped into the cage to celebrate with his friend.
The stunt made international headlines, but Redmond insists the trio have sorted out their differences and are moving forward as teammates.
"Look, we're all fighters and things get heated in there, it's all good in the hood between me, Conor and Charlie.
"I've sparred Conor since, moved around with Charlie... I wasn't too happy at the time but you can forgive and forget, there's much worse things going on out there.
"We've got over that, we've spent nights out on the town together and we've spent nights in the cage together so there's no problems there."
Redmond won't be the only one of John Kavanagh's charges involved at the iconic London venue, with James Gallagher confirmed to fight Jeremiah Labiano and Richard Kiely teasing a bout announcement.
Tickets for Bellator London: Mousasi vs. Lovato Jr. are now on sale and can be purchased online from axs.com/uk and Bellator.com
If you haven't already, be sure to like our Irish Mirror Sport and Irish Mirror GAA pages on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
