MIDDLEWEIGHT star Jack ‘Hammer’ Marshman makes his fourth UFC appearance less than a year when he takes on Brazilian Antonio Carlos Junior in Sao Paulo tomorrow, writes Jason Batty.

The Welshman finds himself on the main card of the sold out UFC Fight Night 119, which features a wealth of talent including former UFC champion Lyoto Machida and Damian Maia.

Tillery Combat ace Marshman enjoyed a seven-fight winning streak until a dubious stoppage at the hands of Thiago Santos back in February.

But Marshman bounced back from that loss when he convincingly beat Ryan Janes by unanimous decision in July.

Now he takes on home favourite and Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt Carlos Junior in his own back yard.

Marshman’s professional MMA career has spanned more than seven years and seen him fight all over the world, from the USA and Canada to Jordan and now Brazil.

But fighting on foreign soil holds no fears for the former paratrooper.

“It doesn't bother me,” he said. “I’ve had 30 pro fights and 70 per cent of them have been out of Wales.

"Fighting a Brazilian in Brazil is one for the bucket list, but I will love that and feed of it."

Marshman caught the attention of the UFC middleweight division when delivering a devastating knockout of Magnus Cedenblad on his Ultimate Fighting Championship debut in Belfast last November.

The takedown earned him the knockout of the night and a lucrative bonus for his efforts.

His first three UFC performances, with his high-tempo unrelenting fight style, led to the promotion rewarding him with a four-fight contract back in August.

"I’m putting on good shows,” he added.

“None of my fights are boring and that's what people like.

"The last four fights I have had, I have not once asked who my opponent is.

“The UFC tell me who to fight and I fight them.”

Having previously spent time training at the world famous Jackson Wink Academy in Albuquerque, this time around Marshman has based his pre-fight camp around Tillery Combat.

He has also spent time working with former boxing world champion Gavin Rees on sharpening his striking tools as he looks to keep the fight on two feet.

Facing him in the octagon this time around is former heavyweight and The Ultimate Fighter winner Antonio Carlos Junior, who holds a record of 8-2 with six wins coming by submission.

However, the 27-year-old realises all fighters start on their feet and the Brazilian submission specialist will be wary of heavy-handed Marshman, who boasts 13 career knockouts on his record.

Marshman said: "He's going to look to take me down.

"He's a really big guy but that works in my favour.

“Like with Magnus (Cedenblad), they'll struggle to take you down and keep you down.”

"I feel like there is a good chance I'll get the KO.

"He'll be chasing the take down but I feel I'll outbox him and pick him off.”