SOMERSET star Mark Godbeer is preparing to take part in the latest round of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, as he faces Walt Harris at Madison Square Garden, New York, on Saturday.

UFC 217 is headlined by Michael Bisping versus Georges St-Pierre, and Godbeer's match with American Harris is one of four fights scheduled from midnight UK time.

Ahead of the fight, Godbeer said: "We are here in Madison Square Garden and it is so surreal!

"All the greats have fought here and I am living my dream; getting to fight here is a dream come true.

"This is one of the biggest cards the UFC has put on to date, and I feel ready.

"Physically and mentally I am prepared and ready to take the win."

The Taunton-born 33-year-old only started training at the age of 25, but worked his way through BAMMA (the mixed martial arts promotion based in the UK), before signing with the UFC in September 2016.

In November of that year, he faced Justin Ledet in his debut fight, which he lost, but in March 2017 he beat Daniel Spitz.

In a message to his fans in Somerset and the UK, Godbeer added: "I can’t thank everyone back home and across Britain enough.

"I have been inundated with messages of support and although I haven’t had time to respond to them all, I have read them.

"Big thanks to everyone for the support!"

You can watch UFC 217 (Bisping vs. GSP) on BT Sport 2 from midnight GMT on Saturday, November 4, or the Early Prelims with a Fight Pass via the UFC website from 10.30pm GMT.