Ben Alloway vows to show off different skill set against Zac Cummings at UFC on FOX Sports 1 2 this Thursday

FIGHTERS will tell you the axe that looms above their head after a loss in the UFC heaps unexplainable pressure on to their shoulders.

Ben Alloway

FIGHTERS will tell you the axe that looms above their head after a loss in the UFC heaps unexplainable pressure on to their shoulders.

But not 'Aussie Gangster' Ben Alloway.

No, he likes the pressure. Instead of deflating, it motivates him.

"You train so hard for so many years to make it the UFC and if you don't perform they can give you a call and tell you that 'we don't need you anymore'," he explains over the phone from Indiana. "But I love that, it makes you want to perform every time.

"You've got to win and you've got to perform well, it's part of the reason I do this thing."

The thing to which Alloway is referring is competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship - the world's biggest mixed martial arts promotion.

It's his dream, but dreams can quickly become nightmares and the heat is on the 32-year-old to be at his best when he takes on Zak Cummings at UFC on FOX Sports 1 2 this Thursday.

After two fights inside the Octagon, Alloway's ledger reads one win and one loss. And that's enough reason to get the chop.

"I think I was lucky not to get the sack last time," he said.

"I don't know if you saw the fight but it was pretty horrible. It was boring. I had an ankle injury and I had a few torn ligaments in that fight too but I didn't want to pull out so close to the fight so..."

So he fought anyway. And a lot of fighters do (fight injured) because it's "do or die" in the fight business.

But there's no time now in Alloway's schedule to rue losses. Instead his full attention is aimed at Cummings.

"I really believe I'm going to win this fight. I think it's a great match-up for me. I think I'm a chance to finish him," he said.

"I'm feeling great, I had a really good time over in Colorado training over there at altitude and now back down to sea level and excited to do it (fight).

"Some injuries have healed up so yeah I'm good."

But Cummings is no slouch with five wins in his past six fights. Like Alloway, he was a competitor on the hit reality TV series The Ultimate Fighter, and this weekend's clash will mark his UFC debut.

Alloway made his debut at UFC on FX 6 in Brisbane last December. He impressed UFC brass with a clean front kick that knocked out Manny Rodriguez in the first round.

But at UFC on FUEL TV 9 in April, the judges went against him handing a unanimous decision victory to Ryan LaFlare in Sweden.

In preparation for his fight, Alloway has spent time in Colorado training at high altitude.

"I think you're going to see me be a lot more well-rounded than what I've shown in my last two fights," he said.

"I just think I'm going to be a lot more prepared and I think people will be surprised with the skills I've got.

"Just staying in the UFC, it's do or die and you're literally fighting for your job.

"Being in the UFC is my job and my career and I want to provide for my family."

A welterweight rematch between Carlos Condit and Martin Kampmann will headline the UFC on FOX Sports 1 2 card in Indianapolis.

Donald Cerrone will fight slick jiu-jitsu grappler Rafael dos Anjos in the co-main event.

MAIN CARD

Carlos Condit vs. Martin Kampmann
Donald Cerrone vs. Rafael dos Anjos
Kelvin Gastelum vs. Brian Melancon
Court McGee vs. Robert Whittaker
Takeya Mizugaki vs. Erik Perez
Robert McDaniel vs. Brad Tavares

PRELIMINARY CARD

Papy Abedi vs. Dylan Andrews
Justin Edwards vs. Brandon Thatch
Darren Elkins vs. Hatsu Hioki
James Head vs. Jason High

PRELIMINARY CARD (Facebook)

Ben Alloway vs. Zak Cummings
Roger Bowling vs. Abel Trujillo