ONE of the UK's most respected and beloved MMA stalwarts has finally been handed his shot in the UFC.

'Judo' Jimmy Wallhead has fought a who's who of UK and European talent across a host of promotions.

3 New signing: Popular British welterweight 'Judo' Jimmy Wallhead will make his Octagon debut at UFC Hamburg Credit: Dolly Clew / Cage Warriors

And the 38-fight veteran has been given his first opportunity in the UFC as he steps in at short notice to take on Jessin Ayari at UFC Fight Night in Hamburg on September 3.

One of the most respected figures in UK mixed martial arts, Wallhead goes into his UFC debut in his best run of form in five years.

Riding a four-fight win streak, three of them KO/TKO finishes, Wallhead steps in to replace Emil Meek, who was withdrawn from the card due to a potential USADA anti-doping compliance issue ahead of what would have been his UFC debut.

The Leicester man, who formerly trained out of the respected Rough House gym and is a former teammate of UFC star and current UFC analyst Dan 'The Outlaw' Hardy, has notable wins over the likes of Matt Veach, Che Mills, Igor Araujo and Frank Trigg.

Now based at London Shootfighters, Wallhead is looking to make his mark on the sport's biggest stage.

And now, after an on-off stint with Bellator and a succession of bouts on the European circuit, Wallhead has his long-awaited, and richly deserved, shot in the UFC.

Speaking ahead of his UFC debut, Wallhead said: "At times maybe I thought the opportunity had passed.

"But the last two years everything has come together.

"I've spent a lot of time working on my psychological and physical performance and bringing these together has changed my whole outlook and increased my overall confidence and performance.

"I have a great team around me since joining London Shootfighters and being managed by Spiked Athletics and I genuinely believed I would fulfill this goal.

"I'm in the best place of my career and I'm ready to seize this great opportunity with both hands."

3 From the beach to the Octagon: It's been a whirlwind week for Jimmy Wallhead Credit: Jimmy Wallhead

The news of his UFC call-up arrived during a whirlwind week that also saw him get married.

And the UFC's newest signing says he's still on cloud nine after a crazy few days.

"It has been a crazy week, one of the best in my life so far!" he admitted.

"My wife and family are the most important things to me and have supported me throughout my career. So to get married is the most amazing thing to happen and to top it off I got a call from my manager telling me I had been given the opportunity to finally fight in the UFC - I couldn't be happier!

"I'm so excited, I've waited 11 years for this chapter of my life to begin. I'm ready to go full force and enjoy every second."

3 Ready to make his mark: Former Cage Warriors star Jimmy Wallhead has joined the ranks of the UFC Credit: Dolly Clew / Cage Warriors

There will be a legion of longtime UK MMA fans who'll be over the moon to see Wallhead get his shot.

And 'Judo' Jimmy had a special message for those fans, saying: "I'd like to say thank you to each and every one of them. Their support spurs me on, and I just want to tell them they're all appreciated!

"Now the real fun starts we have made it to the UFC, guys!

"And to all the UFC fans who haven't seen me fight, if you like exciting fighters who are aggressive with a high finishing rate then tune in and watch me make my debut in Hamburg."