UFC champion Alex Volkanovski is set to defend his featherweight title on Australian soil, after launching UFC 251 in Perth on Tuesday.
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An opponent is yet to be locked in but it's strongly tipped to be against former long-reigning featherweight Max Holloway who Volkanovski, a former Warilla-Lake South Gorilla, dethroned in December.
UFC boss Dana White said in the immediate aftermath that a rematch in Australia would make the most sense, with Volkanovski also welcoming the potential bout.
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It was thought Sydney and Melbourne would vie for hosting rights but the western capital has secured the card that will also see all-conquering women's flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko take on Scot Joanne Calderwood.
While his opponent is still to be confirmed Volkanovski said he'll be doing all he can to secure a fight on what would potentially be biggest ever UFC bout on Australian soil.
"I'm going to do whatever I can, as Australia's only UFC champion, to make sure that I am on this card," Volkanovski said.
"I need to defend that belt and I'm to keep that belt in Australia.
"I can't wait to see what happens, we're going to get the team to make sure that happens because I definitely want to be here.
"I think it's only fair for me as Australia's UFC champ to defend on home soil.
"If it's up to me I'll definitely be on it. I'm sure the UFC's going to love, I'm sure that and the fans are going to love that.
"At the end of the day I want to defend the belt here and it's going to stay here.
"I'm not cocky, I'm just very confident in my abilities, I've beaten some of the best of the division and I'm going to continue doing that."
Holloway is the obvious fight to be made, with UFC reps confirming that discussions are underway to bring about a rematch following Volkanovski's convincing decision win in their last meeting.
It was Holloway's first defeat at featherweight in six years and came at the end of a heavy schedule that saw him fight four title fights in 12 months - including a brief jump to lightweight.
Volkanovski also suffered a broken right hand in the bout but, with the pair having effectively cleaned out the division ahead of their last showdown, it remains the best fight that can be made.
"I did promise straight after my fight that Max did deserve that rematch, even though I thought I won pretty convincingly," Volkanovski said.
"It probably is the biggest fight and I'm sure UFC is going to love that and my fans are going to love that.
"As everyone knows I broke my hand i the last fight and we're working on rehab and all that stuff but if anyone knows me, they know I'm a gamer and I'm going to do whatever I can to make sure I'm on that card."
