STAV Economou insists he is in the best shape of his career ahead of his biggest fight yet.

The Southend based 30-year-old faces Karl Etherington tonight in a Bellator fight night at Wembley Arena.

And Economou cannot wait to get into the cage.

“Preparations for the fight have been great, I’ve lost a lot of weight and I feel like I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in which is great because this is the biggest fight I’ve ever had,” said Economou.

“This is a really big platform for me because it’s Bellator and that means it’s a massive show to be a part of.

“A lot of UFC fighters are going over to Bellator because the competition is that close now plus the fact it’s at Wembley Arena also really excites me.”

Economou has trained tirelessly at the TSG gym in Westcliff ahead of the fight.

And he is eager to make the most of the opportunity.

“This could open doors for me and the team,” said Economou.

“The bigger the fight and the bigger the crowd the better it is for me because I can thrive off that atmosphere but I’m also going to make sure I enjoy it.

“I’ve been doing this so long now that I want to keep having fun in there.

“I want fights that make sense for me career wise and that can also entertain the crowd, which I’m sure this one will.”

Economou has been put through his paces by coach Dan Burzotta for the past nine weeks.

And Burzotta believes it will be a fight to remember.

“Karl is a powerhouse so they’re both big guys and I think it’s going to be a really good fight,” said Burzotta.

“There’s a lot riding on it because it will be watched by a big American audience as Bellator is the second biggest promotion in the world.

“This will give Stav huge exposure and he’s going into it off the back of a really good training camp.

“He’s been preparing for nine weeks and he’s lost two-and-a-half stone since Christmas so he’s in great shape.”

Fellow TSG fighter Leszek Krakowski will also be in action this weekend as he faces Brazilian Nathan Battista for the Celtic Gladiators belt.

And Burzotta is confident the Pole will produce a strong performance.

“Leszek has trained really hard and is in good shape with no injuries so he’s looking strong,” said Burzotta.

“It’s a busy couple of days but it’s going to be good.”