There there will be a lot of crowd favourite Canadian fighters on the UFC Ottawa card this Saturday, but you won't have to wait long to see one of the most popular in the Octagon and on social media as Mississauga's own Elias Theodorou will be in the Fight Pass prelims featured bout against American Sam Alvey.

The Spartan is coming into the fight off his first professional defeat, a unanimous decision loss to Thiago Santos at Fight Night Vegas in December, that broke a streak of 11 straight wins since making his debut in June of 2011. 

Theodorou isn't dwelling on the defeat, instead using it to fuel his fire for his upcoming bout.

"My first bad day at work but there are a lot of silver linings that I can take from it," Theodorou told TSN.ca. "The fact that I didn't give up at any point, that I showed myself and everyone else that there is no quit in me."

"Thiago Santos is on a tear right now recently just knocking out Nate Marquardt with that disgusting knockout, but I'm the only one to take him to a close three round fight. Even if you go back to Uriah Hall, I think he won that fight (unanimous decision loss at UFC 175)."

The Hall loss aside, Santos has stopped each opponent he's faced since 2014 in the first round other than Theodorou, who continues to hold his head high when he looks back at the defeat.

"Honestly I'm really proud of that fight and I think I've taken all of the steps after that to ensure my next victory," said Theodorou. "I plan to show everyone what I've worked on and to show Sam Alvey it was a mistake signing on that dotted line."

Alvey, who at 30 is two years older than the Canadian, has fought 33 times in mixed martial arts. While experience sometime can be an advantage, the younger Canadian is not so sure it will be in this case.

"He's a veteran, he's got 20 more fights than me and a lot of experience," said Theodorou. "He's got dynamite in his hands and he's looking to knock off my block."

"I think I'm the better athlete that will frustrate him and will use the fact that he's the veteran with a lot of mileage against him. I think there is something to be said about diminishing returns in regards to that much experience."

After two straight fights on American soil, The 28-year-old is also happy to get back into the Octagon surrounded by his countrymen, who he expects to be out in full force to support him.

"Love fighting in Canada and fighting in front of the hometown fans," said Theodorou. "I have about 200 people that are going to be there cheering me loud and rude. It will be great fighting in front of friends and family."

"Obviously there is pressure on both sides. Being the hometown guy and being the outside person but I think it's a great thing and just the atmosphere in general being in Canada it's going to be a very warm feeling all the way through to fight night."

The Spartan will be contesting the Fight Pass prelim featured bout, a coveted spot on the card that is starting to receive a lot of promotion from the UFC. It also comes with another perk.

"I love what they're doing with Fight Pass and the spot is going to be just as wanted as the main card," said Theodorou. "It comes with the added bonus that I'm going to be fighting earlier so I'll be live tweeting the main event (from his very popular account @EliasTheodorou). I'm excited to be on Fight Pass and I'm going to put on one hell of a main event for it."