Oban Elliott relishing UFC debut at UFC 298 on Volkanovski v Topuria undercard

Oban Elliott could be forgiven for feeling nervous as he prepares to make his UFC debut on Saturday.

Yet, having reached the heights of the world's top mixed martial arts promotion, the pressure is seemingly off the British welterweight.

Almost five years after making his pro debut, the 26-year-old from Wales says this is the "first time" he has really enjoyed training.

"There's a weight lifted off my shoulders, that I'm finally fighting where I belong," said Elliott.

"It's the first time I've really enjoyed and looked forward to every training session really, I've just tried taking it all in."

Elliott's heroics on Dana White's Contender Series last year earned him a contract, with the UFC president saying: "I don't know who wants it badder."

Six months on from that night in Las Vegas, Elliott gets to live his dream on the undercard of Alexander Volkanovski's UFC featherweight defence against Ilia Topuria at UFC 298 in California.

"If you set your mind to something you can do it," Elliott told BBC Sport Wales.

"If it's not given to you and it's hard, you'll find out a way to take it and that's exactly what I've done."

American opponent Val Woodburn is no slouch, with a 7-1 professional record to rival Elliott's 9-2.

Elliott, also known as 'The Welsh Gangster', remains confident in his ability to get the job done.

"He's a tough man and he's going to try to beat the brakes off me," he said.

"[He has] only ever lost once, so I've got nothing but good things to say about him. But it's on and he's going to have to do something special to stop me now, 100%.

"The last guy I fought was 16-4, walking around with a world title, and I didn't give a monkey's, so whatever."

Elliott will become the seventh Welsh fighter in the UFC and the fourth from Shore Mixed Martial Arts in Abertillery to fly the flag in the octagon.

He is the first Welshman to make his UFC debut on a pay-per-view card. That is perhaps testament to the regard in which Elliott is held by the promotion after his last win.

As Elliott follows in the footsteps of Brett Johns, Jack Marshman and Jack Shore, there is plenty of guidance at hand in the gym about what he could expect.

"He'll be surrounded by stars all week," Shore said. "There'll be plenty of press, plenty of eyes on him.

"I'm sure he'll take the opportunity with both hands and I'm sure they'll remember his name by the end of the fight week."

Johns was the first Welshman to set foot in the UFC octagon - albeit on the same night as Marshman - when he beat Kwan Ho Kwan in November 2016.

"I've told Oban to enjoy every single second," said Johns.

"The way he bounces back from things is absolutely fantastic and this is such a big card to be on for his first fight, but it's going to suit Oban.

"Sometimes you're in such a rush to get out there and fight that you don't take in the little things - the signing the posters, doing interviews, meeting up with fans.

"It's such an amazing experience. To be on such a big card, that's only going to multiply by 10."

Shore, who fights at UFC 301 in May, is confident Elliott can make his mark quickly in the welterweight division.

"In two or three years we'll see him in that top 10," Shore said.

"He was always athletic, a good striker, but now he's the complete package.

"His wrestling is as good as his striking. If he's having a 50-50 fight on his feet, he's so athletic and technical that he can get that takedown, and vice versa.

"If he wants to keep the fight on the feet, his wrestling defence is a nightmare to get down.

"He's on a five-fight win streak now and every fight he's been getting better and better. He's got all the tools to do very well in the division."

Whatever happens, Elliott is clear he wants to provide motivation to fighters of the future.

"It would be amazing to inspire the next generation - the same way as I saw Chael Sonnen, Michael Bisping, Conor McGregor, the way they inspired me," he said.

"This is just like walking and talking and breathing for me. I'll go into the Honda Centre and make it the Gangster's paradise."