WE are finally closing in on fight week! This will be my last week of hard work, my last sparring session and last strength training.

Next week, my focus will shift from training to rest and diet, bringing my weight down for the weigh in.

That involves a lot of sitting around, reading and watching films and being very careful with my food and water intake.

I always look forward to seeing my opponent during fight week, or at least knowing we are in the same building. It assures me that I haven't done all this work for nothing!

I will start packing soon, so I can be sure I haven't forgotten anything. I usually leave packing to the last minute but there is so much to remember for fight week, I like to have everything laid out so I am well prepared.

As well as all the regular stuff you pack in your travel bag, I have to take my supplements for the weight cut and re-hydration.

I take Vitamin C, dandelion root and green tea extract to help get the weight off, and then once I get off the scales at the weigh in, I have to start my re-hydration protocol.

That involves mixing various amounts of carbohydrates and electrolytes into water, to ensure my body absorbs them quickly.

This is important so I am fully recovered for the fight the next day, the general rule being one per cent dehydration equals a ten per cent reduction in performance.

My diet has to be very clean during fight week too, which can be difficult when you are travelling to fight. I usually take some food with me, but with me spending so much time in America, I know where to go to get the right foods.

I had my last autograph signing this weekend, at Fearless Fightwear, to help launch the introduction of Xyience products onto the UK market.

It was great to meet everyone who came. Everyone seems very excited about the fight being so close.

Its nice to have such strong support, even when I'm fighting away from home. It makes a difference.

Even with the sport growing so fast, the community around Mixed Martial Arts is very close and the excitement is very infectious.

I really feed off it when I'm around the fans and it really motivates me in the gym and the Octagon.

The big news this week in the world of UFC, is that they have purchased their main rival organisation, Strikeforce.

As a lot of you will know, Paul 'semtex' Daley is due to fight Nick Diaz in April for the Strikeforce world title.

After being fired from the UFC for the late punch on Josh Koscheck, Dana White said he would never fight in the UFC again.

It will be interesting to see how the situation works out, as fans are very keen to see the bout between Daley and Diaz. Hopefully, this fight will still go ahead and we will have a new champion in the team soon.

My next column will be out just before we fly to Seattle to check into the UFC hotel.

Then all of the pre-fight fun starts, with photoshoots and press conferences.

They are welcome distractions from the hunger pangs in that final week!

After a long training camp, we are finally coming to the fun part and nothing beats a good scrap in front of a few thousand fans going crazy at every punch exchanged.

It's what I live for!