Aaron Aby will get his second shot at the OKTAGON flyweight championship when he faces Sam Creasey for the belt in Birmingham.
The Welshman was unsuccessful in his first attempt at clinching the 125lbs title in Manchester back in November, when a doctor's stoppage brought his fight with Elias Garcia to a premature end.
However, the American champion has now been stripped of his title for inactivity and the shot awarded to Aby against Creasey - an opponent he has faced before already.
Creasey defeated Aby by unanimous decision back in 2021 under the Cage Warriors banner and has lost just twice since then in his pursuit of an opportunity to fight for a world title such as this.
Aby is coming off a victory against Christopher Daniel in Newcastle at the start of the year and had called for a rematch with Garcia ever since they first met in Manchester back in November.
He now has the opportunity to avenge both the defeat to Creasey and finally claim the OKTAGON world title at OKTAGON 56 at Resorts World in Birmingham.
He said: "For me, that belt is my priority and my number one target. It was never about me versus Garcia, it was a dream you have when you start to become a world champion on the biggest show in Europe.
"That belt is always what I wanted. I want the fight with Garcia back, but the belt is more important. I could have sat on the sideline and waited for whenever he feels he is ready, but that is not in my control so I wanted to just get straight back out there and go again.
"It is a shame and I don't want to focus on him too much when I have another tough opponent in front of me. I've had some of the biggest names in the sport coming up to me and asking if I am getting the rematch. Dan Hardy, Brendan Loughnane, people in the UFC, they have all come up to me and asked when I'm going to fight for the belt again.
"Part of me thought then it wouldn't happen, but I was just praying and hoping to get that opportunity to fight for the belt again. Fighting for the world title is more important than waiting for my chance at getting revenge."
The card also includes viral sensation Denis Frimpong, as well as OKTAGON bad boy Shem Rock, lightweight George Staines, debutant Will Fleury, middleweight veteran Mick Stanton and exciting flyweight Megan Morris.
The event marks OKTAGON MMA’s return to the UK following the success of OKTAGON 48 in November of 2023 which took place at Manchester’s AO Arena and OKTAGON 52 at Utilita Arena in Newcastle.
Live on DAZN: Dalton Smith vs. Jose Zepeda on March 23. Click here for more details.