Jason "The Athlete" MacDonald is just hours away from making his dream become a reality.
 
As he sits in his hotel room, the anticipation is obvious. He can almost taste stepping into the UFC Octagon for the very first time, but he's still a full day from that happening. There's really no tension in the room as MacDonald is cool and calm - the essence of a prepared fighter despite his unfamiliar surroundings.
 
On Tuesday night, MacDonald, the MFC's international sensation, will debut in the UFC as he takes on Ed "Short Fuse" Herman at Ultimate Fight Night 7 - The Final Chapter. The Z-Files took a few minutes out of MacDonald's time to relax for a few questions.
 
Z-Files: After years of wanting and waiting for your shot in the UFC, how does it feel now to be here in Hollywood, Florida, and the time to fight is right around the corner?
 
JM: It's exciting finally being here. I've taken a long road to get here but now that I'm here it's actually much more gratifying. I've wanted to fight in the UFC for a long time and now that I am here I want to show the guys that I belong here.
 
Z-Files: Is your approach to this fight any different than any of your previous fights?
 
JM: It hasn't a changed a bit. I fought to get here and now I have to fight to stay here.
 
Z-Files: Being that you're 31 and have 24 fights under your belt, do you feel there will be any jitters being on the UFC stage - something that has thrown off first timers before?

JM: I've fought in front of big crowds before. I fought Joe Doerksen in front of sold out crowd in his home town of Winnipeg and I fought Gideon Ray in front of 7,000 people in Halifax. It's really nothing new to me. It's just like any other fight. The fact that there are all the cameras is actually fantastic because it's basically my opportunity to let the rest of the world see how good I know I am.
 
Z-Files: Is Ed Herman the perfect opponent for you under these circumstances?
 
JM: The UFC could have put me in with someone who doesn't have much of a name and the fight wouldn't have had much of an impact. But Ed Herman is a star made up by the UFC so he's perfect for me. When I win the fight, it will put me right in the mix in the middleweight division. I could have come to the UFC and they would have put me in with a lesser-known opponent and I'd still be on a long road. They're giving me a guy who they made into a star so it's a perfect matchup. I have a hard time believing they think I'm going to be a stepping stone for Ed Herman. And if you listen to the interviews Ed is doing, I don't think he thinks I'm a stepping stone either. He's well-aware of the calibre of fighter I am. I think the UFC knows this is going to be a great match - possibly the fight of the night.
 
Z-Files: Will it be classed as an upset if you beat Ed Herman?
 
JM: If you talk to anybody in the MMA world, I think they know the calibre of opponents I've faced and that we have comparable records. Only the casual fan is going to look and say that he's been on the TV show and he's won a couple fights and that he's a big favourite. No one in the real fighting world is going to say that I'm here to be a sacrificial lamb for Ed Herman.
 
Z-Files: How much did attending a training camp in Montreal with Pro Camp Sports Management teammate Fabio Holanda and UFC veteran Patrick Cote help you prepare for this fight?
 
JM: It was an opportunity for me to get away from the stresses of every day life and get into a new environment. And the best part was getting the opportunity to train with Patrick who is a seasoned UFC veteran and see how I stack up. Everyone knows we had an epic five-round battle but it was a chance to be around his high-calibre training for a while. It was really advantageous to be completey focused on training and get as much rest as possible as well.
 
Z-Files: What is your plan of attack against Ed Herman?
 
JM: It depends on how Ed comes out. I believe I have the skills to beat him in a number of areas. If Ed wants to be aggressive and come after me, I think I can outpunch him and finish him off. If he wants to force it to the ground, I can see myself catching him in a number of submissions. I can see this fight going my way in a number of ways.

Z-Files: And you must have some future plans in mind once you've beaten him?
 
JM: I'm not going out there with the attitude that I've made it to the UFC and now I can relax. I won't be satisified after just one win. Right after I beat Ed Herman, I will be thinking about my next fight. I want to make an impact on the middleweight division. Some of the guys who are making waves right now, I know I can compete with them and beat them.