Let Louis Smolka be a lesson for any fighter hoping to make it big.

"Be ready at all times."

"That’s what my coaches kept telling me," said Smolka, who trains with Hawaii Elite MMA. "I had nothing scheduled but my managers always tell me to stay ready in case there are injuries."

A 2009 graduate of Kapolei High School, Smolka will step inside the Octagon on 11 days’ notice to fight Richie Vaculik on the undercard of Friday’s UFC Fight Night event in Sydney, Australia.

Available to watch online on the UFC’s Fight Pass channel through its website, Smolka’s bout will take place Friday Hawaii time between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., which is Saturday afternoon in Australia.

It’s Smolka’s third fight in the UFC since making his debut with the company back in January, when he earned a unanimous decision against Alptekin Ozkilic.

Smolka is coming off his first professional loss, a narrow split decision against Chris Cariaso in May.

"I’ve been wanting to get back in the cage for a while now so I was all over the opportunity when it came about," Smolka said. "It was a big scramble to get everything done and get my weight on point. It stressed the family out but we got it done and now we’re here."

Smolka was asked Tuesday to replace Neil Serry, who broke a rib in training. By Saturday, he was on a plane to Australia.

"It’s been amazing," said Smolka, who is 7-1 as a professional. "Everyone here is really nice. It’s almost unsettling because there are random people who will just talk to you in an elevator or off their street. They just want to talk. It’s not like they’re trying to sell you something or force you to join their religion."

Fighting at 125 pounds, Smolka paved his way to the UFC through the Asian-based organization Pacific Xtreme Combat.

He fought four times in a 12-month span with PXC, winning every fight by stoppage.

Two months after his last fight with PXC, Smolka stepped into the Octagon as the latest in a sudden influx of fighters from Hawaii to make it into the UFC.

"I kind of ran through the guys (in PXC) and articles started coming out about me saying I was going to be one of the next guys signed (with the UFC)," Smolka said. "It was like a dream come true. (The UFC) announced my signing on Christmas Eve which was the best Christmas present ever."

Smolka is one of five UFC fighters training with Hawaii Elite MMA, with more on the way.

Bantamweight Russell Doane, who also made his UFC debut in 2014, will be in Smolka’s corner against Vaculik.

Max Holloway, who is on a four-fight winning streak, Dustin Kimura and Yancy Medeiros, who splits time between Hawaii and at Gracie Academy in Stockton, Calif., also train at the same gym.

"Honestly, there are so many talented people training with us and a lot of guys not yet on the big stage," Smolka said. "If you think our guys are good now you should wait and see what the next generation has coming. Our gym is filled with hungry, hungry kids who train day in and day out with some of the best coaches in Hawaii."

HAWAII ELITE MMA FIGHTERS IN UFC

Russell Doane

Height: 5-6

Weight: 135

Record: 14-4 (2-1 UFC)

Last fight: Lost to Iuri Alcantara by UD in September.

Next fight: TBD

Max Holloway

Height: 5-11

Weight: 145

Record: 11-3 (8-3 UFC)

Last fight: Def. Akira Corassani by KO (Round 1) in October.

Next fight: TBD

Dustin Kimura

Height: 5-6

Weight: 135

Record: 11-2 (2-2 UFC)

Last fight: Lost to George Roop by UD in April

Next fight: Henry Cejudo (6-0) at UFC on Fox 13 on Dec. 13.

Louis Smolka

Height: 5-9

Weight: 125

Record: 7-1 (1-1 UFC)

Last fight: Lost to Chris Cariaso by SD in May.

Next fight: Richie Vaculik (10-3) on Friday.

Yancy Medeiros

Height: 5-10

Weight: 155

Record: 10-2 (1-2 UFC)

Last fight: Lost to Damon Jackson by submission (R2) in August.

Next fight: Joe Proctor (10-2) at The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale on Dec. 12.