CALUM MURRIE insists he is in confident mood just days before his long-awaited professional MMA bow this weekend.

The Dollar fighter will face Josh Abraham at the Hydro on Saturday as part of the ACB 47 event.

Having won his last seven amateur fights, the 29-year-old feels he is more than ready to make step up to the pro ranks.

And with the big moment fast approaching, Calum is determined to keep focused on his opponent and not the occasion.

He told the Advertiser today: "Training has been going really good. I had my last session last night and so it's just a case of getting on-weight now.

"I'm feeling as fit as I've ever been and I'm confident. I had a great training camp - I really couldn't have asked for anything better."

"It's obviously a big venue; it holds about 11,000, and I know they're trying to have it filled out.

"I've fought in front of around 2000 before, but this ACB is very well established and there is a lot of money going in this event.

"There is always pressure before every fight, but I'm just concentrating on making the weight so that's taking my mind off it all for now."

While he is currently training out of Higher Level Martial Arts in Whitburn, Calum starting his MMA journey in the Wee County.

He began with taekwondo and was a regular at the Martial Arts Centre in Alloa, before expanding his skills with wrestling and Ju-Jitsu training camps.

And while his variety will allow to change up his attacks, the committment needed to get this far has been ardous.

Indeed, training for his first professional fight while working full time has already proved to be a major challenge for Calum and his partner, who have a young daughter together.

And though he admits the opportunity to go pro has put everything in his life "on hold", he knows it's now or never to make a go of it. 

He said: "It's a good time for me to go pro, something I've been looking to do for about a year and half now.

"I kept getting offers to fight really good amateurs and, in fact, the last three guys I fought were really top amateurs. But I won them all so this is the next step for me.

"I've worked my way up the amateur ranks, so it's time I worked my way up the pros. And considering the venue and the promoters, when I got the offer for this I couldn't pass it up."

He added: "I'm 29, so it's make or break for me. My life is pretty much on hold for now.

"I work 38 hours a week and then I'm in the gym every night. I can't take on more hours and [my partner] can't work at nights because she's looking after the kid.

"It's up to me to have a shot at it and see where it goes."

In Josh Abraham, Calum knows he has a difficult opponent, but says he wouldn't have it any other way.

He said: "I'm not looking for easy fights. A lot of people come into the pros and face journeymen or something like that so they can get a few wins early.

"That's not for me, because the way I see is that you're going to get found out at some point and you might as well go for it straight away.

"My opponent is a tough lad and already has three professional wins under his belt.

"But I'm looking forward to the occasion and, as I say, I am confident."

To book tickets for ACB 47, visit the Ticketmaster website.