News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

British UFC star Mike Wilkinson will face his toughest test yet on February 27th when he fights undefeated Finnish prospect Makwan Amirkhani at UFC London.

Wilkinson has a professional record of 9-1 and has won two of three fights in the UFC.

His opponent in February, Amrikhani, is regarded as one of the hottest young talents in the organisation though that's not been a deterrent for Wilkinson who has been asking the UFC for this fight for very long time.

He said: "I like to fight people who have a decent record and some hype behind them so I can take all their glory. I want to thank Makwan, he called me out at the perfect time," Wilkinson told James Edwards of MMALatest .

The tension between Amirkhani and Wilkinson first started following Wilkinson defeating the Finn's friend Niklas Backstrom back in October 2014.

Read more:Jimi Manuwa on UFC London

The tension between the two hasn't stopped there though. Since the announcement of the fight, both the Englishman and the Finn have been trading barbs back and forth on Twitter.

This fight will be Wilkinson's first in over a year, though, like UFC bantamweight champion Dominic Cruz said recently, Wilkinson is a believer that "ring rust is only something believed by people who fail."

The Warrior is now feeling back to his best and is looking forward to the atmosphere of the 02 and fighting in front of his home crowd.

"My fight has got some hype behind it, I know that, and I will be getting a bonus so that will start the year nicely.

"To have Bisping fight Silva is a good main event and I know the fans will be happy with it so that's all that matters," said Wilkinson confidently.

Despite being focused on his fight in four weeks time, Wilkinson is also looking to the future ahead and sees the path trodden by Irishman Conor McGregor is the one to follow:

"Conor has done it perfect, there are no easy fights in the UFC, so if I beat the same people then there is no reason it can't happen to me. Vision is everything."

The fight against Amirkhani is undoubtedly the biggest of Wilkinson's seven-year career yet and he has total confidence that on February 27th that all his hard work will pay off and that he will be the one leaving the 02 Arena with his hand raised.

"I have been in the gym every single day with my coach all year no breaks, learning and developing as a fighter."

"You don't learn in camp you make what you have learnt previous a subconscious habit, which has increased my confidence, given me more belief and more vision of what my part in this universe is." "My next step is to wipe out this fool and move on."

Photo Credit: FightStorePro.com