Following the state's 20-year ban on Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Competitions, UFC is set to make its Rochester debut on Saturday.

Saturday's Fight Night at Blue Cross Arena will be the UFC's 12th event in New York State. The tour has already drawn in more than 140,000 fans statewide.

"The fans are hungry for it, they're delighted," said Mark Ratner, UFC's senior vice president of Government and Regulatory Affairs. "We're going to have a big crowd, we have some big-time fighters here, it's going to be great."

On the main card, former Lightweight Champion Rafael Dos Anjos takes on Kevin Lee in a Welterweight bout.

"I'm happy to be in Rochester," said Dos Anjos. "I'm a former champion, you guys can expect a great fight. I'm going to put on a great show for the Rochester fans."

On the undercard, hometown favorite and Rush-Henrietta grad Desmond Green goes up against Charles Jourdain.

"I'm used to being the bad guy," said Green. "I'm used to going into hostile territory and having to fight the hometown hero, so just for this I can't even hide my emotions, I'm smiling from ear to ear."

After the statewide hiatus, fans in Rochester are excited, turning out to see Thursday's practice and Friday's weigh-ins.

"MMA is one of the best sports in the world," said Lee. "It's what I sacrificed my health for, it's what I sacrificed my body and the rest of my life for to go out and display the art and I hope that shines through for a couple people."

Doors open at the Blue Cross Arena Saturday at 4:30 p.m.