Ignacio Bahamondes won’t shy away from the pressure and heavy expectations ahead of his UFC debut.

The 23-year-old prospect will fight for the first time under the UFC banner on the heels of one of the best knockouts of 2020, a front kick against Edson Gomez last year on “Dana White’s Contender Series.” The finish earned him a contract with the UFC and set him as a clear standout of DWCS. Bahamondes (11-3 MMA, 0-0 UFC) debuts this Saturday at UFC on ABC 2 in Las Vegas against seasoned veteran John Makdessi.

It’s a big bout and a big platform for Bahamondes’ first go in the UFC. Yet, the Chilean fighter is cherishing it all and can’t wait to give fans another spectacular finish.

“I’m in debt with my fans,” Bahamondes told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “Anywhere I go there they are yelling my name, showing their support. Even if they’re far, they’re always showing their support on social media. So every time I get in the cage, I want to give an offering, I want to give an offering to the people, to my fans, so that they can enjoy it and have fun watching my fights.”

Despite his young age, Bahamondes has been training for many years now as he began when he was a kid given his family’s strong background and history in combat sports.

“La Jaula” can’t wait to step in the cage and is far from nervous ahead of the highest profile fight of his career.

“At this point, I don’t get too nervous because I’ve been doing it for so long,” Bahamondes said. I just want to step in that cage and do what I love and get that feeling, that sensation of the fight. I enjoy the pressure, I absolutely love it. My team at BFS and my coach Mike Valle, we love working under pressure, so I’m always ready. All my life has brought me to this point and I’m ready.”

Bahamondes is facing someone who’s been fighting at the UFC level for a long time. Makdessi has 17 fights logged with the UFC, which date back as far as 2010. The 35-year-old enters UFC on ABC 2 coming off a decision loss to Francisco Trinaldo, but prior to that he was on a three-fight winning streak.

Bahamondes understands this is not an easy debut, but that’s the way he wanted to make a first impression under the UFC lights.

“John is a very experienced fighter, (but) I also have my experience,” Bahamondes said. “He has more experience in the UFC, and that’s the biggest organization, so I think that’s the factor that’s most in his favor. But to be honest, my team and I couldn’t have asked for a better fight.

“This is a fight that’s going to push us to the limit and is going to position us very well in the division. So what better way to debut against John Makdessi, who’s a fighter people know. I’m ready to test myself and show what I got.”