Norman set to rattle the cage!

The showpiece event is expected to draw in over 3,000 spectators to the National Basketball Arena and is being beamed out on Setanta Sports.

The 22-year-old - who is ranked second in the whole of Ireland - will go toe to toe with third placed fighter Thomas Maguire from Dublin.

Maguire is a highly respected competitor who competed for the British title in the past.

"He's a tough fighter," Norman (left), who fights at lightweight, told Times Sport.

"My aim will be to keep him standing. I've been working with a good boxing coach as past while so I'm confident with that side of things.

"If I can stay out of his guard I'll be alright."

Norman has a good pedigree in martial arts and is widely regarded as one of the UK's up-and-coming MMA stars.

He is a black belt in judo and is an accomplished wrestler and boxer - the perfect foundations for his mixed martial arts.

Norman is currently training with Rodney Moore in Ballymena, and spends up to twice a day, four days a week keeping himself in shape for the cage.

He has also been preparing under the guise of boxing coach Derek Morrison.

His preparations for this weekend's showdown have been somewhat hampered by a knee injury, but Norman insists he won't be using that as an excuse going into the fight.

And he has every reason to feel confident, Norman - ranked 11th in the UK - has a pro-fight record of 10 wins and just two defeats in 12 bouts.

Also on the horizon for Norman is a gruelling six week training camp in California.

Norman will be taken under the wing of the Hit Squad, a venture which he hopes will help him fulfil his dream of becoming one of the sport's leading stars globally.

Norman wished to thank all his sponsors including Complete Gyms and Nutrition, Scotch House Bar, Cornershop and Ink Unleashed.