Darren Till's dream of fighting in his hometown is set to become a reality after the UFC announced it will host their first ever card at Liverpool's Echo Arena on May 27.
The UFC confirmed on Friday that the undefeated British welterweight will headline the card, although his opponent is yet to be revealed.
Liverpool-born Till (16-0-1, 10 KOs) told ESPN that it was a dream of his to fight in front of a home crowd and that he didn't have a preferred opponent in mind.
"It has to be the Echo Arena," Till told ESPN regarding his ideal fight night. "MSG and Vegas T-Mobile Arena are great but it's already been done.
"No one has ever done the Echo Arena and I'm a Scouser. The momentum I've got and the way MMA is growing in the city and the way MMA fans are -- Scousers as individual fans are just amazing -- it doesn't matter who it's against."
"The whole arena sold out in 60 seconds," Till said in expectation. "Every big fighting name in England to be there. All the UFC stars, boxers from the city who also support me. It would be a proper epic night for me."
BREAKING: @darrentill2 will headline the first ever @UFC event in Liverpool on May 27th: https://t.co/DrQC1u3aY3
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) March 16, 2018
He told @laylaloves why it's a dream come true... pic.twitter.com/suTPVRj4GH
The UFC returns to UK shores on Saturday for UFC Fight Night London, which is headlined by a heavyweight contest between Fabricio Wedum and Alexander Volkov.
Till, who has not fought since defeating Donald Cerrone by knockout in October 2017, was considered as a potential headliner for the event but decided it came around too soon following his return from sickness.
Also on the Liverpool card are two middleweight bouts, with England's Tom Breese making his return to action stepping up to 185lbs to meet Australia's Daniel Kelly, while Canadian Elias Theodorou faces Trevor Smith.
Tickets for the upcoming Liverpool event will go on sale on April 13.