Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman of Long Island is hoping for a better result when he fights at Madison Square Garden on Saturday than the last time he entered the Octagon at the World’s Most Famous Arena.

That was UFC 205, the celebrated debut of sanctioned MMA in New York. Weidman, who had been instrumental in helping MMA become legal in the state, was stopped by a flying knee kick from Yoel Romero in the third round of their middleweight bout, leaving him bloody and beaten.

Two years later, Weidman faces Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza in a scheduled three-rounder to highlight the undercard at UFC 230. Weidman (14-3) is looking to win his second straight fight after ending a three-fight losing streak with a third-round submission of Kelvin Gastelum at NYCB Live at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in July 2017. Weidman had been originally scheduled to face former middleweight champion Luke Rockhold, who had to pull out because of injuries.

“The main goal for me is to become the UFC champion and whoever gets me to that title fight is who I want to fight,” Weidman said. “I have to be able to beat any of these guys anywhere any time.”

Weidman has rebooted his career. He was at the highest of highs, winning the middleweight title from Anderson Silva and successfully defending it three times while improving to 13-0. But that was followed by the lowest of lows, losing the belt to Rockhold, the first of three straight defeats.

Then came the must-win against Gastelum.

“There was such a focus on getting my confidence up and believing in myself,” Weidman said. “I got through it and got a nice finish and now it allows me to be a bit more comfortable and confident in myself without that much mental energy going into it.”

Now he’s back at the Garden hoping to celebrate another “home” win.

“I’ve never felt better,” Weidman said. “I’m prepared for anything. I’m going to go out there and have fun.”