Jamie Powell is a man on a mission - and he sees Saturday's fight at Contenders Norwich 17 as another step on the road to stardom.

Unbeaten flyweight Powell, 24, steps into the cage to pit his wits against Spain's Daniel Barez, in a clash which looks to have fight of the night written all over it.

Wisbech's Powell (7-0) is a powerful wrestler with fast hands and feet, while Barez (6-4) boasts rapid, crisp striking and has claimed all of his victories by stoppage.

But Powell, the Contenders flyweight champion, is in confident mood.

'He's aggressive and quite a good striker,' he said, while cutting weight today. 'But he's not on the same level as me, and I see that he's got weaknesses on the ground.

'I'm just as aggressive, I like to come forward, I'm fast, powerful and I've got a good ground game as well.'

Powell, who started boxing aged 12 before taking up MMA at the age of 16, fighting out of Avaddon MMA, believes he will have the edge in every aspect of the game when the two 125-pounders trade leather at the Norfolk Showground.

'I come in with a boxing background, but my Thai Boxing is good as well,' he explained. 'I like to mix it up and I'm sensible.

'If I feel like he's having the better of it striking then I'll take him down and go to work. But I know he won't be better than me, so I'd like to keep it standing and knock him out.'

A win on Saturday would move Powell to 8-0, as well as keep him among the best flyweight fighters in Europe - and he's in no doubt about his next step.

'My goal is the same as most people, getting to the UFC,' he said. 'Contenders is a big show now and that's what I want - big fights on big shows.

'I will be in the UFC by the end of next year, if everything goes to plan.

'Barez is no slouch, but he's definitely not on my level and people will see that on Saturday.

'I'd just like to thank my family and friends for their help and support and my sponsors – David Lakey Flooring, Coles Building & Landscaping, DNA Plastering and Lilos Barbers – I really appreciate it.'

Buy tickets for Contenders at www.contendersea.com or call promoter Steve Newman on 07983 334603.