After what seems like an eternity, Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to British soil tonight.
It has been three years since the premier promotion of mixed martial arts last visited these shores. A lot has also happened since then.
The UFC returns to London with a packed card at O2 Arena
A new generation of British prospects has emerged in the midst a global pandemic and is poised to attack their divisions.
The promotion's first trip to Europe since November 2019 will see the majority of the nation's "Golden Generation" on display at O2 Arena tonight.
Ten Brits will walk the mile to the ultimate testing ground in the world tonight, all supported by an O2 crowd of adoring fans.
This scenario wouldn't have been possible during the UFC first visits to the UK. These were by and large cards with a few Brits.
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However, the boom in mixed martial arts that was predicted by their promotion nearly 20 years ago has been a success.
Main eventer Tom Aspinall is the perfect example of the rise of Brits during the pandemic. He will be looking to jump into the heavyweight title race with a win over Alexander Volkov, a former Bellator champ.
Four months after the pandemic, the Wigan warrior made his octagon debut. He has since won three TKO victories and one submission win.
The 28-year old will be on the brink of UFC gold, regardless of whether he likes or not.
FREE BETTING AND SIGN-UP DEALS - THE BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERINGSArnold Allen, a soft-spoken Suffolk star, could be aiming for a world title shot if he welcomes Dan Hooker back to the featherweight division.
Allen has quietly been going about his business for many years. He has an impressive eight-fight winning streak. This is all without a marquee name that would propel him into the top echelons.
If Paul Craig continues his impressive form against Russian Nikita Khrylov, title contention may also be in the offing.
Airdrie Assassin has been undefeated in five of his last five fights. He most recently won a decisive first-round TKO win over Jamahal Hill at UFC 263 in June.
Jack Shore, UFC London's most prominent Welsh fighter, will be able to mix it up with the elite bantamweight division if he can defeat Russian Timur Valiev.
The Abertillery Tank has beaten all competition during his two-and a half-year tenure in promotion. His well-roundedness has earned him plaudits from big names in the sport.
Undoubtedly, Paddy Pimblett from Liverpudlian is the unofficial star of UFC London. He made a stunning debut at the Apex facility in September.
Pimblett's stunning win over Luigi Vendramini in September last year and his brilliance, which some have likened to Conor McGregor, have captured the attention of both hardcore and casual fans.
Kazula Vargas will try to ruin the Pimblett party. However, he must first win battle of nerves when fighting on enemy territory.
After winning her match with Ji Yeon Kim, Pimblett’s Next Generation teammate Molly McCann will be looking to make a statement against Brazilian Luana Caroline.
McCann's determination to withstand the UFC axe in September last year was inspiring, to put it mildly. It has also given life to her bid for a UFC two-promotion flyweight champion.
Black Country Jai Herbert also saved his UFC bacon by winning a dramatic stoppage over Khama Worthy last October.
In his maiden UFC victory, the former Cage Warriors lightweight champion showed all of the skills European MMA fans are accustomed to. However, he will need them more to defeat THE fearsome Ilia TOPURIA.
UFC cards wouldn't exist if fighters didn't enter their bout with their backs against the cage fence metaphorically and physically.
This is where 2014 Commonwealth Games Bronze Medallist Mike Grundy finds his way ahead of Makwan Amirkhani's eagerly-awaited featherweight matchup.
Grundy could lose to Mr Finland, but Grundy will be more motivated now that his father has been diagnosed with terminal illness.
Cory McKenna, Wales's youngest fighter, will be back in action after a long hiatus. She will face Elise Reed at strawweight and make a big statement.
The UFC's eagerly awaited debut will be kicked off by Muhammad Mokaev (decorated amateur and former refugee), who will be welcomed into the octagon with Cody Durden.
Mokaev, who has had 23 fights prior to turning pro in 2020, is probably the most experienced amateur ever to enter the octagon.
A showcase of such up-and-coming, potentially title-challenging UK fighters wouldn't have been possible five years ago.
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This year, the UK's MMA fighters - many of them from Cage Warriors – have been allowed to show their talents on a night that could prove as pivotal as UFC Dublin for Ireland.
Now it's up to them to prove to the rest of the world that they are the best Brits ever.
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