BLAENAVON mixed martial arts star Josh Reed is determined to grab his chance with both hands when he makes his Professional Fighters League Europe debut on Saturday night.

The PFL is an American MMA league founded by venture capitalist Donn Davis in 2017 as a potential rival to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Reed, nicknamed ‘Crazy Horse’, takes on unbeaten Dagestan-born fighter Ibragim Ibragimov at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena in a bout that will be shown live on DAZN.

Reed has been competing on Cage Warriors promotions since 2014 and the step up to PFL Europe is the big opportunity that he has been craving.

“I’ve been hoping for something like this to come along and I’m over the moon,” said the 32-year-old, who trains at Abertillery’s Shore Mixed Martial Arts alongside current UFC talent Jack Shore.

Reed is confident that he can get off to a winning start on his PFL debut and he’s determined to reach the top.

“The promotion is a step up, but not necessarily the opponent. I’ve been fighting top level guys for a number of years,” he said.

“I’m not saying the guy isn’t very good, because he is – he’s undefeated – but I’ve been in the top bracket at Cage Warriors and fought some top-level guys.

“I know his background is in wrestling and he transferred over to MMA a few years ago, but that’s all I know about him, to be honest.

“I’ve had a quick look at him, but I don’t get fixated on my opponents. I concentrate on myself and what I can do.

“Every fight we enter, we’re looking to get the win and move on to bigger and better things.”

Reed runs his own decorating business when he’s not in the octagon, but he’d love to focus all his attention on his MMA career.

“I’m 100 per cent ready,” he said. “I’m training with high level guys in the gym and I’m holding my own.

I’m training all the time and I live a professional lifestyle all the time.

“I’m training twice a day minimum, three times a day of I can, six days a week.

“I work for myself as a decorator, which makes it a lot easier. It’s virtually impossible to be at this level with a 9 to 5 job.

“Going professional would be the ultimate aim and to get to PFL Global, which would change my life.

“I believe in my abilities, and I put everything into it, so there’s no reason why I can’t get to the top,” he added.

“I’ve done my apprenticeship and I feel like I deserve what I’m getting now.”

Fighting at featherweight means a strict diet before fight night and Reed is looking forward to a celebratory takeaway on his way home from Newcastle this weekend.

“I used to fight at 135lbs, but that got too much for me,” he explained. “Now I’m at 145lbs, which is a lot comfier, but it’s still a little bit of a struggle.

“I’m looking forward to a McDonald’s afterwards!”

* Fans can watch Josh Reed’s PFL Europe debut at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena this Saturday on DAZN from 6pm, or tickets are available via Ticketmaster.