Dean Garnett has had to wait a little longer than expected, but the Liverpudlian will finally take on Argentina's Lucas Corbage for the vacant Hexagone featherweight title at the rearranged Hexagone MMA 8 event on Friday night.
Garnett and Corbage will go head to head in the main event at France's original bullfighting ring at Beziers Arena, with Garnett in confident mood ahead of his title tilt.
Speaking ahead of the matchup, Garnett said he was confident of not just getting the job done, but doing so inside the allotted time.
"I feel really confident," he stated.
"I’m pretty sure I’m going to deal with him in two rounds.
"I’m grateful to be fighting in such an iconic area and on such a great platform. So, I’m going to be soaking it all up and enjoying it. I‘d like to thank everyone for their support and my coaches back home."
Garnett returned to action for the first time in nearly five years when he faced Miguel Haro at Hexagone MMA 6 in January, but he showed no sign of cage rust as he dispensed with his opponent via TKO in just 20 seconds to announce himself as a serious threat in the 145-pound division.
He was all set to face Corbage in the originally-scheduled event earlier this summer, only for inclement weather to force the postponement of the open-air event.
Now, two months later than planned, he takes on Corbage for the vacant featherweight title in an event that will stream live in the UK and Ireland on TNT Sports, and internationally on DAZN.
Despite having to recalibrate his approach for his new fight date, Garnett said he was primed and ready to perform at his best on fight night.
"It’s all about peaking and not working yourself to the bone," he explained.
"So, with the fight postponement, I took time off and set up a new six-week camp leading into the fight this weekend. In fact, I feel better than last time, so I believe I’ve got it right and I’m ready to peak on Friday night."
Hexagone MMA 8: Confirmed fight card
- Dean Garnett vs. Lucas Corbage – for featherweight title
- Wilson Varela vs. Alisson Marreira
- Karla Benitez vs. Ielo Page
- Jack Claffey vs. Kevin Simon Cesari
- Gyorgy Komuves vs. Lazaro Maza Blanco
- Frankie Rollandt vs. Allan Taibi
- Mathieu Rakotonfrazanany vs. Faudel Bentaieb
- Boualem Sahraoui vs. Shekibulah Waris
- Georges Ngoma vs. Adel Khaldoune
