Jamie Powell intends to prove that he's one of the best flyweight fighters on the planet when he makes his Bellator debut at the SSE Arena Wembley on Friday night.

Powell, 24, lost his first fight as a professional when he was submitted by skilled Spaniard Daniel Barez in the third round at Contenders 17 at the Norfolk Showground last December.

But he has long been tipped for the very top of the division ruled globally by Demetrious Johnson, and is in no doubt he'll show his true colours when he faces unbeaten Swede Amir Albazi (9-0) on the undercard of Bellator 179.

It is a major opportunity for Powell - Bellator being the second biggest MMA brand in the world behind only the all-conquering UFC – and he's planning to shine under the bright lights.

'I'm so excited,' said the Wisbech fighter (7-1). 'I can't wait to put a loss on this guy's record and show that I'm still one of the best in the world.'

Albazi has won all of his fights by stoppage, a mixture of submissions and knockouts, but Powell feels he knows exactly how the fight will play out.

'I think he'll want to stand with me first,' said Powell, who boasts quick hands and feet, excellent boxing and powerful wrestling. 'But I'll hit him a few times and he'll realise how hard I punch, panic and try to take me down.

'He's got a good ground game, but I'm confident in my grappling.'

Of his shock defeat to Barez, who came in with a 6-4 record but showed outstanding quality in their fight, Powell admitted: 'I'd been doing a lot of coaching at the time and I was guilty of looking at his record and maybe overlooking him a bit.

'There's a few little things that I've ironed out since then and I know I won't be making those mistakes again.

'I think Barez has been training with Albazi at London Shootfighters, which makes me even more determined to put things right.'

Powell, who also thanked his sponsors – Coles Building & Landscaping, Battle Body Clothing, DNA Plastering, David Lakey Flooring, AMP Electrical and Lilo's Barbers – added: 'This fight won't go the distance, I'll make sure of that.

'I get the feeling he picked this fight, which makes me even more fired up. He's going to wish he didn't ask for it.'