Danny Roberts is just happy to be back doing what he loves the most.

Namely, punching people in their face for a living.

As he prepares to return from a two-year layoff, the British welterweight has been warned he may be a little bit rusty, but to him that's all just a load of rubbish.

The 34-year-old next faces Ramazan Emeev at UFC Fight Night 195 in Las Vegas on 16 October, almost 24 months after knocking out Zelim Imadaev in November 2019.

"I don't want to make too much of a big deal about it," Roberts exclusively told GIVEMESPORT.

"People talk about ring rust and all that, I don't believe in any of that, because I'm just a fighter. My attitude, my goals, they haven't changed. It's just simple concepts, you know. 

Danny Roberts will be welcomed back to the octagon by Ramazan Emeev

"It's just about performing, it's about putting the right pieces of the puzzle together to get the job done, and that's what we're going to do.

"As far as my love for the sport, it burns deeper now than it ever has before. From Cage Warriors right all the way through to the UFC, I've had ten fights in the UFC, I'm one of those guys who puts it all on the line.

"I get people coming up to me who commend me for my fighting style, my prowess, my energy and enthusiasm towards the sport, and you know what, that's just me. 

"It's nothing to do with the sport, it's not going to change, but my maturity is something that in the last two years, having that little break, I've really been able to dial-in on and really understand just what I need to do to be great and I honestly believe now that we're on a path to greatness.

"So I'm excited and I'm just waiting for these little parts of the process to really start falling into place."

Hot Chocolate will be welcomed back to the octagon by Ramazan Emeev

Emeev, 34, has won four of his last five fights, barring a decision loss to Anthony Rocco Martin in November 2019. 

But Roberts is confident he has a few tricks up his sleeve that will swing the fight in his favour. 

"I think we know what this guy is going to look for in this fight," he added.

"He's tenacious with it, it's something that's given him great success to the point where he's got a 20-4 record and the majority of his fights you'll see the same game plan come out and he manages to secure it.

"He does what he does very well, but I also believe that everyone has their kryptonite. I also believe that in this setting, I am this guy's kryptonite. 

"Powerful, explosive, fast, energetic, athletic... there's so many things I bring to the table which are far superior than what he can produce on the night.

"I've got some great coaches and I'm lucky with that being back at home being around my family and my kids, they're all filling me with the right reassurance that I am great at what I do, and I have full confidence as they much do in getting the job done and prevailing."

Danny Roberts reflects on his tough upbringing as a child living on the streets of Croydon in London

Roberts isn't bothered by the fact that he will be greeted by another highly-touted prospect when he returns to the octagon, since he has already conquered a hurdle many of his colleagues have never had to face.

And his voice trembled with pride as he remembered his own tough upbringing growing up on the streets of West Croydon in Greater South London.  

"Yeah definitely, it's a thing of the past, but it's also as a part of who I am, and I know what I'm capable of," he continued.

"So at any given moment I know I can switch people's lights off, I can fold you like a MacBook, I can do what I want.

"The welterweight division is one of the most stacked. I've always loved the challenge, I'm glad I sit in one of the deepest challenges that can be in one of the most elite organisations of the world, so I really truly get to test myself against some of the best.

"You look at the top 30 in the welterweight division, they're killers, top 40, killers. This is about my own journey and path towards greatness. I came from nothing, I'm already f------ winning. 

"I was supposed to be like this down-and-out, I lived next door to drug dealers and crackheads and that, addicts, you name it. 

"This is my sport, this was always my exit, this was my escape, and this turned into my foundation. And it's going to give me something back, I'm far from done."

Watch Danny Roberts vs Ramazan Emeev during UFC FIGHT NIGHT®️: LADD vs. DUMONT on Saturday October 16, at a prime-time slot on BT Sport 1 from 10pm, with UFC Fight Pass Prelims starting at 9pm.