The time is now and that time is perfect for New Zealand's newest UFC recruit, Brad Riddell.
The City Kickboxing prospect will make his Octagon debut against Australian lightweight - and fellow UFC rookie - Jamie Mullarkey on Sunday at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium.
Riddell joins teammates Israel Adesanya and Dan Hooker, as well as Hamilton's Luke Jumeau, on the UFC 243 card, expected to draw the largest attendance in company history.
The Christchurch native turned his back on a promising high school rugby career a decade ago to focus on combat sports - a decision that is set to pay off with big wraps on Riddell's credentials.
Regarded by some as the best kickboxer in Australasia, the man known as 'Quake' has put together a respectable six-win, one-loss record since his 2013 mixed martial arts debut.
But his journey to the UFC has been a grind, with the 28-year-old honing his craft under the eagle eye of CKB head coach Eugene Bareman - one of the best trainers in the world.
Bareman believes he has another world champion under his watch, in the mould of interim middleweight titleholder Adesanya.
"Brad is a bit of an understated bloke - a bit of a quiet man," Bareman told Newshub.
"I guess a typical South Island, Christchurch-born-and-bred boy, but he's going to have to get used to these bright lights and reporters, because he will make some pretty big waves in the UFC.
"His path has been similar to Israel's. He's been quietly plugging away and now he is at the stage where he is very quickly going to become a contender in that division."
For Riddell, fighting on the same card as his teammates on a history-making night for New Zealand mixed martial arts, so close to home, represents a perfect storm to inflict punishment on his opponent.
"I knew this moment would come and it's come at the best time," Riddell told Newshub. "This is the right time for me to make my UFC debut in front of the biggest crowd in history.
"He's going to have the worst night of his life and this will be the worst debut in UFC history.
"Jamie Mularkey - he called me out, so the pressure is on him. I feel ready, I feel great and his fans will be mine after next week."
One of the most important people in Riddell's UFC preparation has been Australian Alexander 'The Great' Volkanovski.
The top contender for Max Holloway's UFC featherweight title is a regular visitor to the Auckland gym, where he spends most of his training camp.
Volkanovski is one of Riddell's lead sparring partners and his knowledge of Mullarkey's skillset is an advantage to the Kiwi.
The 31-year-old New South Welshman knocked Mullarkey out three years ago on a regional fight card, as part of a six-year, 17-fight win streak that has resulted in a shot at UFC gold.
Volkanovski believes Mullarkey is in for a rough 15 minutes come Sunday.
"Brad is a very high-level kickboxer, so everyone is expecting a top-notch striker," Volkanovski told Newshub.
"But he is very well rounded. I have been doing a lot of training with Brad and it isn't fun, shooting on those hips, let me tell ya.
"So his opponent is probably expecting he will be able to take Brad down and control him or whatever, but if he thinks that, he is in for a very long night.
"He is so explosive and so dangerous on the feet. He has a great chin, so I just think he is a real safe bet.
"Jamie Mullarkey is a very good fighter and I have respect for him, but I think Brad is on another level."
As for the promising future predicted by his head coach, Riddell isn't one to get too far ahead of himself.
Whie he has visions of UFC glory, the Kiwi will be happy just to reflect on a job well done, once his hand is raised.
"It's going to be a massive milestone for me, no doubt about it," Riddell said. "But it's just a small goal on a massive list of goals.
"I will sit down and reflect, and soak everything in post-fight, because one of my weaknesses in the past has been to chase the next fight after I win.
"I'm going to win the fight glamorously, and sit back and enjoy a week with my partner and my mates, and soak it all in."
Once the cage door shuts on Sunday, Riddell will become the seventh New Zealand-born UFC fighter.
Join us Sunday from 11am for live updates of UFC 243.
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