Make no mistake about it: Victor Valimaki (Pictures) is ready to shine.
"Training was excellent, probably the best training camp I've ever had," Valimaki said. "The intensity was higher, and there was more focus than there's ever been before."
After losing last December to David Heath (Pictures) by split decision, Valimaki was surprised by how quickly the UFC called him back to the Octagon.
"I keep hearing that they (UFC) said that it was a great fight," he said. "It was a good fight -- I don't think it was my crowning achievement or anything, but it was very entertaining and people want to see exciting fights. So yeah, it was definitely a huge part of me going back."
After that disappointing loss, Valimaki returned to Edmonton and his stomping ground of the Maximum Fighting Championship, where he slugged out a KO win over Jared Kilkenny (Pictures) in February.
When asked how he felt about the UFC's offer for him to meet "Legionarius," obvious excitement came to Valimaki's voice.
"I didn't have to think about it," he recalled. "As soon as they said who it was, I couldn't say ‘done' quick enough.
"I got the call for that one. I thought I would be waiting for a call for a while, but it came I think two days after the MFC fight.
"Not trying to take away from Sakara, but I think it's a very good fight for me."
When asked about Sakara's boxing pedigree, Valimaki didn't sound overly concerned. "I won't shy away from the stand-up by any means, I think I can out-strike Sakara if I decide to stand up with him, but I'm not afraid to go to the ground with him either. I believe I can out strike him, but that's his game, so there's no sense playing into someone's strengths."
Valimaki also pointed out that he hasn't yet shown UFC fans his ground game.
"If I have to I can take him down," he started, "I haven't really shown it in my last few fights because they've been predominantly standup, but my ground game is much better than my stand up is."
As if serving a reminder of this, in Manchester Valimaki will be cornered by his teammate, Jason MacDonald (Pictures), who has won two of his three UFC fights via submission.
Finally, when asked if he was confident about this weekend and if he had a prediction, Valimaki replied, "Confident? Absolutely! I'm in the best shape I've ever been in, you guys will see … and I feel great going into this.
"I see this fight going a few ways, but it will definitely end with my arm being held up at the end of it."