Mohammed Yahya: It's finally UFC 294 fight week and I can't wait to showcase my skills

Last night was the final night of the weight cut, before the biggest fight of my career so far, and everything is going great. I’m more than on track, I’ve been training well throughout, and everything’s looking sweet.

“Sweet” is probably the wrong word, since the weight cut involves no salt or sugar for five days, where you’re eating clean and everything’s bland. During the first five days, you have a two-gallon intake of water also, so obviously you start to hate your life. But I’ve been here many times before in my career, as an amateur and professional, and never had an issue.

This time around, though, the UFC is there to help. They have a whole team that looks after you, giving you the food you need nutrition-wise, the supplements, even helping with the rehydration after today’s official weigh-in.

They know exactly where I need to be, giving me whatever’s needed to perform at my peak. I’m so excited to see how I feel on fight night with all this support.

I arrived on Yas Island on Tuesday morning and checked into the fighters’ hotel as a UFC athlete – a moment I have been dreaming of my entire life. It means fight week is officially here, and I get to showcase my skills on the sport’s biggest stage.

It won’t surprise, then, that the UFC is the most professional promotion I’ve ever been in. It really is the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Everything runs so smoothly and so fast, and you know what it is to be a top athlete. You’re in such good hands, and it feels they do everything in their power to help you be at your best come the opening bell. It’s been smooth sailing. I’m really looking forward to the future with them.

A major part of the week has been trying on the official UFC clothing for the first time. I’m