JACK Marshman impressed so much when making his UFC bow last November that he scooped a $50,000 performance of the night bonus.

The 27-year-old returns to action tonight and, worryingly for rival Thiago Santos, Marshman reckons he is “definitely” in better shape this time around.

Magnus Cedenblad felt the force of the Abertillery soldier at UFC Fight Night 99 in Belfast, with the Swede succumbing to a second-round stoppage.

Marshman, who looks to bag another victory at UFC Fight Night 105 in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia tonight, says he went into the clash with Cedenblad carrying a calf injury.

Training under Tillery Combat father and son Richard and Jack Shore couldn’t have gone better for Marshman in the build-up to his middleweight battle with Brazilian Santos.

And with that calf problem gone, Marshman believes he can get the job done at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax.

“The training camp has gone brilliantly and I’d definitely say I’m in better shape for this fight than the last one,” he said.

“I’d been working for eight years to get into the UFC, fighting on small shows at leisure centres, and when I got there it was everything I dreamt it was going to be.

“Everyone was happy with my performance, it was a bit of a blood and guts fight.

“But I had been struggling with a calf injury before it and had to work a lot on my movement.

“I was injured so didn’t get the chance to put on a show, but I’m going into this fight stronger and a big thing has been using my boxing to move better and avoid getting hit.”

Analysing his rival, he added: “Santos is a good fighter. He is more of a kicker, I’m more of a puncher, so we’ll meet somewhere in the middle.

“I’ve watched all his UFC fights and he has been in a few good ones, but I’m confident of getting the win.

“I know what I’m capable of and I put in a lot of work every day at the gym, and I don’t see why I can’t beat this guy.”

Halifax has been hit by a snowstorm this week, causing travel delays and closing schools.

Santos, 33, a former paratrooper who had never seen snow before landing in Canada, is attempting to avoid three defeats on the bounce at UFC Fight Night 105.

“He has heavy hands, he’s a boxer, a striker, but this is MMA and he can go for takedowns if he’s having difficulties in the fight,” said Santos of Marshman. “He might bring new weapons.

“I also heard he was a paratrooper like me, so that’s nice. He’s a warrior, just like me, and I’m expecting a war inside the Octagon.

“I want the knockout. The goal in the last minute of the World Cup final is the knockout. I’ll always go for the knockout.

“If I can’t get it, fine, the victory is what matters the most, but I always want to finish the fight with a knockout.”

Marshman was the first Welshman to be signed by the UFC last year, with Swansea’s Brett Johns following suit soon after – Johns also won in Belfast.

Another Swansea fighter, John Phillips, then joined the ranks and was set to make his debut in January but the fight was called off due to visa issues.

Phillips, a middleweight like Marshman, has already called out the Gwent fighter.