Pedro is a perfect 6-0 as a professional fighter, and has won both of his UFC bouts. The men upstairs have taken notice of Pedro's entertaining style, elevating him to the pay-per-view card next weekend, just below the two title fights that headline the event.

"I actually only found that out this morning - I wish somebody had told me earlier so I could get excited but it's good, it shows that the UFC is backing me and that's always good when your bosses are liking what you're doing."

In defence of Pedro, he has a pretty good excuse for finding that out so late, having been locked in a gruelling pre-fight conditioning program in the deserts of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

"Last time I was here it was winter, so it's been pretty ball-breaking lately," he laughs.

"The sun's been beaming and the sand has been ready for us every time - last time I snuck out of all the hill sprints because it was raining or snowing! I usually put the hill sprints [on Instagram] because it looks the hardest, but it's the morning classes and the morning runs and the wrestling classes and getting punched in the face all day. I'm really hoping my wife starts getting promotions at her job so I don't have to keep doing this for long!"

A departure from distractions has seen the diehard Panthers fan miss out on most of the latest NRL news, but he's stayed up to date with good friends the Watene-Zelezniak brothers. "Hopefully Dallin gives me a shoutout!" he adds, when talking about Penrith's finals match the night before his fight.

The Sydney boy has pledged to keep "putting on shows" and "get some more fifty grand bonuses" (for the 'Performance of the Night' or 'Fight of the Night'), and with none of his fights going beyond the first round so far, a quick stoppage is a huge possibility.

Veteran Latifi is the 10th-ranked contender in the light heavyweight division, with Pedro 13th. A win here would see the 25-year-old vault into the top 10, but he has his eyes on a higher prize.

"I'm looking at top one! Every fight has been a step up in competition, I didn't think it'd happen this quick but I just go with the flow."

But what's the game plan? "I'm gonna try and punch him in the face," Pedro says before laughing.

"We've been working on stuff, he's got a lot of strength ... I plan on fighting him everywhere. I've never gone into a fight thinking 'OK, I'm gonna beat him with a left hand'. I'm gonna try and beat him at wrestling, I'm gonna try and beat him at jiu jitsu, I'm gonna try and beat him standing up. That's what the complete MMA fighter is."

There's only one thing the rising star won't be open about in terms of fight preparation - a potential new walk-out song before next week's fight.

"I can't give that up! That's all hush hush."

After next Sunday, Pedro faces a quick turnaround to be ready for Sydney in late November - and to steal the thunder of his brother-in-law, Tai Tuivasa, who will make his UFC debut.

"I don't think he's gonna be too happy because my plan is to walk out of this unscathed and jump on this card as well! I'm so excited for him to be on there but I'm more excited to be on there with him.

"When I fought in November last year, everyone was angry about it just being Aussie fighters and I understand they want to see all the international names, but at the same time it's really cool to see that MMA is building in Australia."

Pedro doesn't know who he'd fight on that card yet, but is keen to "get a sneaky little pay day in there before Christmas so I can spend some money on the family and wife". He would slot in on an already stacked card that features Mark Hunt, among others.

UFC 215 kicks off on Sunday, September 10, at 10am (AEST).