"Think Conor McGregor in Dublin".
That's what Cage Warriors' biggest Welsh MMA event this weekend is being billed as.
CW104 will see the likes of top female prospect Cory McKenna make her return, fan favourites Josh Reed and Kris Edwards take centre stage and, of course, Wales' world champion Jack Shore defend his title against Scottish challenger Scott Malone in the headline fight of the night.
In what is the biggest Welsh event yet for Cage Warriors - one of Europe's leading MMA promotions - thousands are set to descend on Cardiff's Viola Arena for a sell-out to see no less than seven Welsh contenders on the card to see first-hand the hotbed of talent emerging on home soil.
Jack Shore
The 'poster-boy' for the event, if you like, Shore will be looking to do all he can to hold onto his world title.
With a perfect record of 10-0, the Abertillery fighter will prove his "true" champion status to his doubters if he can successfully defend the world title he claimed back in December.
Malone, meanwhile, is on a six-fight win streak including a dominant win over Shore’s long-time teammate Josh Reed, and is predicting another impressive finish within the opening rounds.
Shore is coming to the end of a gruelling 12-week fight camp - which The life of Jack Shore: Exactly what it takes to be one of the top MMA fighters in Wales - and will be taking no prisoners.
It's also the next step in a journey that Shore would like to see eventually take him to the UFC - something he believes he's ready for.
The life of Jack Shore: Exactly what it takes to be one of the top MMA fighters in Wales
Welsh fighters to have already broken through to UFC include Jack Marshman - who says he was shaped by the streets of Abertillery , where he grew up - and Brett Johns, who stunned the sport by pulling off what was called " the rarest submission in MMA history ".
Swansea-born Johns, currently injured, has been on hand during preparations for Saturday's showcase event, where he described Cage Warriors as the perfect stepping stone to the UFC: the end goal for many mixed martial artists.
The 27-year-old from Swansea, who admits he's currently "plagued with injuries" but is hopeful of at least one fight before the year is out, said of Saturday: "It's a huge night for Welsh MMA. The tougher the fights, the better the highs are, and they're looking for big things.
"Cage Warriors, realistically, is the stepping stone for Welsh MMA to get in the UFC, and they've had some really good talent. It'd be nice to see a few more Welsh guys there, because at the end of the day it does me favours because I want that Welsh UFC card.
"The more representatives we have from Wales, the easier that will become. To be on that card would be an honour. I've fought all over the world.
"It'd be nice to get a fight back home for my friends and family, because not all of them can afford flights to Las Vegas! I don't think we're a long way off. I can see it happening soon, maybe not in the next year.
"I've done everything I wanted to do out in America venue-wise. To come back home and fight would be my dream come true."
And on a return for himself, Johns says: "Realistically, I'm looking to get back in at least once before the end of the year - absolutely plagued with injuries at the minute.
"I'm hoping, maybe August time if I'm very lucky. I want to fight at least once because my bank account is running quite dry at the minute - so I need another fight! "
Brett Johns in the run-up to CW104
Aaron Khalid
With Shore not the only Welsh talent raring to put on an impressive performance, Cardiff's Aaron Khalid walks out for high toughest test to date against ex-UFC star Tom 'Kong' Watson.
Khalid, 25, has nine pro wins to his name and is now on a three-fight winning streak in the tough division of welterweight.
A big win on Saturday night could position Khalid in line for a shot at the world title.
Mason Jones
Blaenavon's Mason Jones also comes up against Belgian fighter Donovan Desmae on the main card.
Jones, 23, boasts an undefeated record of 6-0, with his last win taking home Cage Warriors’ prestigious '2018 Knockout of the Year' award.
Jones faces his toughest opponent yet in Desmae, who boasts superior experiences and has trained with various major UFC stars like Urijah Faber.
The return of Cory McKenna
Cory McKenna returns for her first fight since last September.
Dubbed one of the top female MMA prospects in Europe, the teen Cwmbran product started out training alongside her mother, and fellow professional fighter Wendy McKenna, with the pair beginning training in karate when Cory was still a young girl.
Now aged 19, the pro has attracted a healthy following with her determination, aggressive fighting style and pressure in the cage seemingly older than her years.
"MMA is my life," McKenna has previously told WalesOnline. "And not just something I do for fun."
"I never feel any pressure because I put all the hard work in at the gym. Win or lose, it's all down to me, regardless of the arena or who's there.
"I don't think my lifestyle differs too much from someone who has a full time job - mine is just a bit more fun."
Her professional record stands at two wins and a loss so far, and she faces Swede Fannie Redman on Saturday night.
Inside a brutal Welsh cage fighting night where MMA fighters are striving to be the best
Josh Reed
Welsh fan favourites Josh Reed, Kris Edwards and Oban Elliott feature on the pro preliminary card, bidding to secure vital home wins in front of a Welsh crowd.
Blaenavon product Reed, 27, is known for his come-forward style and knock-out power, is fresh from a win over Rory Evans at Cage Warriors Academy Wales' latest outing in Ebbw Vale back in March.
He faces Belgian Ayton de Paepe in what is his 12th pro fight.
The former maths teacher who's now combining fire-fighting and mixed martial arts
Kris Edwards
The most experienced of the list, 29-year-old Edwards is a veteran of the sport, with 23 pro fights behind him. The 29-year-old, also from Abertillery, has fought and beat some of the top contenders on the Cage Warriors roster throughout the years, and has watched Jack Shore grow through the ranks at Tillery Combat.
Edwards is in the top ranks for the most fights in Cage Warriors history - with this Saturday being his 15th (and likely to be his last fight this year before his wedding later in the year).
Oban Elliott
This 21-year-old from Merthyr Tydfil trains in Bristol while completing his business management degree.
Elliott, winner of Cage Warriors’ Amateur Grand Prix tournament, is still undefeated as he breaks into the professional ranks, facing Bouali Skikem this weekend.
And before the main and pro preliminary cards get under way, there's the matter of two amateur title fights that top the Cage Warriors Academy card.
Graham Boylan, president of Cage Warriors, has previously said Wales has everything it needs to host a successful UFC event.
Of Saturday, he said: "We’re seeing a real surge in Welsh talent at the moment that makes it such an exciting territory for Cage Warriors.
"Shore vs Malone for the title is a huge main event. Jack has managed to assemble a Welsh fan base on a level we’ve never really seen before. Think Conor McGregor in Dublin – this is going to be massive."
Doors at the Viola Arena open at 4pm. Any available tickets can be found here.
How to watch:
The main card - where you can watch Shore defend his belt - begins at 9pm and will be broadcast live on UFC FightPass. Fans can take advantage of a seven-day free trial on Fight Pass here.
The Pro Prelims (from 7pm) will be broadcast on UFC Fight Pass, as well as live and free on the Cage Warriors Facebook page.
