The exciting lightweight prospect suffered his first professional defeat at the season finale of TUF 25 in July. 

A split-decision loss to Drakkar Klose brought about the end of Diakiese's 12-fight winning streak and derailed his assault on the lightweight division's top 15 fighters. 

A big factor in Diakiese's maiden loss was the lead leg kicks of Klose, which drastically slowed down the super-explosive 23-year-old. 

“I made a mistake because I thought I could stand and take the leg kicks,” he said. “But that was the first time it had happened to me. That sort of froze my leg. 

“I’ve never had that in training. But now I’ve experienced it, I know next time not to take it like that and check the kicks.”

As every fighter will tell you, suffering a defeat is not only a humbling experience, it's also a learning curve. 

Diakiese agrees with that notion wholeheartedly and believes defeat to Klose has taught him a valuable lesson.

“I’ve learned that I’m mentally strong," the Congolese-born Doncaster native said. "It’s not easy taking a loss, my entire career I’ve never lost a fight, that was my first one.

“I also learned to be more active instead of standing there and trying to read what they’re going to do and then me try to defend or counter them. It’s just about being me."

Diakiese has the opportunity to wash the bitter taste of defeat out of his mouth in the early hours of Sunday morning at UFC 219, which takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. 

The man looking to heap further misery on Diakiese is New Zealand's Dan Hooker, who enters the contest on the back of an impressive second-round KO victory over Ross Pearson.

Diakiese is well aware of the dangers Hooker poses on the feet but believes he'll be too much for 'The Hangman' to handle.

“He’s a Muay Thai striker, but I find it quite easy to stand with Muay Thai guys because they stand still or come forward," he said. "They’re pretty easy for me, a lot easier. So it’s going to be a fun fight.

"He’s a long guy, he’s got a long reach, but he gets hit quite a lot. And I’m not one of these guys you can get hit by. I’m not a featherweight. 

“When I hit you, I know you’re going down. So it’s about me staying sharp, keep moving and throwing my shots. Because once I land, he’s going down.

Although losing his first MMA bout isn’t the driving force behind Diakiese seeking a return to the win column, he feels compelled to stop Hooker in devastating fashion. 

“I want to give something to my fans," Diakiese said. "I feel like that I’ve let them down. It’s going to be a finish.”