"Here we go then, ladies and gentlemen. The main event of the evening. It's showtiiiiiiiiiiime." The man behind mic is stretching his vocal chords. It is not Michael Buffer. He must be having a night off.

A few jeers from the Northern Irish fans when Santa Cruz is introduced to the MGM Grand crowd, although that soon turns to cheers from a few thousand or so Mexican-flag waving supporters.

Huge ovation for Frampton, who raises his arms, still smiling, soaking up the atmosphere.

Amir Khan
Former unified light-welterweight world champion on BBC Radio 5 live

Frampton needs to win this in good style because he’s going to be up against the judges in California, where Santa Cruz is based

What he needs to do is put on a better performance than the first time and prove he’s a better fighter. Whoever wins has to win clearly.

BBC Radio 5 live

Not far off now. The boys at 5 live have dusted off their mics ready for a dust-up in Vegas.

Dim the lights (they're probably already off), headphones in (you don't want to wake the other half), it's nearly fight time.

Listen to 5 live commentary at the top of this page.

Dafydd Pritchard
BBC Sport at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas

Boxers often call Las Vegas ‘the mecca’ of their sport and, as a result, you tend to see quite a few big names milling around this uniquely brash and brightly-lit city. 

One such man is Amir Khan, the former light-welterweight world champion who is in Nevada as part of BBC Five Live’s commentary team for Frampton-Santa Cruz II. 

I caught up with Bolton’s finest at the MGM Grand earlier, and he expects another win for Frampton. 

“I think it’s going to be another electrifying fight, another close fight. Both fighters have a style that’s made for each other,” Khan said. 

“In this fight Santa Cruz has got something to prove. He thought he won the first fight, which makes the second fight even better. 

“I’ve got my money on Frampton again. Being from the UK, he’s a friend of mine, and let’s just hope he sticks to the gameplan and doesn’t give Santa Cruz the chance to settle in – because once Santa Cruz settles in a fight, he puts on a great show.”

Image source, PA

Are we in Vegas or Belfast? Looks like the former, sounds like the latter. The MGM Grand erupts as Carl Frampton bounces into the ring. Gala's 90s classic Freed from Desire - AKA 'Will Grigg is on Fire' is blasting out. Obviously.

Ready? The two fighters are. It's ringwalk time!

Leo Santa Cruz is the first out of the dressing room. He's grinning, kissing his fists and looking very relaxed.

David Haye
Former world heavyweight champion on BBC Radio 5 live

The last time they both threw over a thousand punches a piece, they've both got the upmost respect for each other but behind it, everyone knows we're in for a treat tonight.

Jack Davenport
Radio 5 live boxing producer

Earlier I went into Carl Frampton’s dressing room. He’s sat quietly watching the undercard with his trainer Shane and manager Barry McGuigan. Gym mates David Haye and George Groves are in there. As always on nights like this there is tension, but Frampton himself exudes calmness and confidence.

You know it is a big deal when Floyd Mayweather is in the house...

Thomas Kane
BBC Sport NI

It is Frampton time now... the sing-song has started and the countdown is on ahead of the main event. The travelling supporters have taken over Las Vegas, can Carl overcome Santa Cruz once again?

Image source, Getty Images

After Frampton's dazzling win in one of 2016's fights of the year, is the Belfast boxer taking a risk by facing the slick Mexican again this weekend?

Former world champions Dave 'Boy' McAuley, Barry McGuigan and Wayne McCullough, three of Ireland's biggest boxing names, have all been involved in high-profile rematches with mixed results.

So will Frampton's gamble pay off in Las Vegas and propel 'The Jackal' to bigger and better things? Or will the Belfast fighter live to regret the decision after suffering his first career defeat?

BBC Sport NI's Johnny Farrelly attempts to answer those questions.

"I wanted to be in a fight people remember," said Frampton after overcoming Santa Cruz in Brooklyn six months ago.

"It's hard to forget your first loss," was the Mexican's contrasting reaction afterwards.

Two men, one outcome, both reaching for the same word to describe the whole thing - unforgettable. And it was. A barnbuster of a scrap that went the full 12 rounds before two of the judges ringside told the referee to raise the Belfast man's meaty right arm.

Frampton rocked his opponent to the ropes early on with a left hook to the temple before relying on some precise combinations for the rest of the night; Santa Cruz rallying in the later rounds as he made use of his reach advantage and experience at this weight... then a final three minutes of mayhem.

Same again this time? Yes please...

Image source, Getty Images

If cheap Danish lagers did an annus mirabilis then Carl Frampton's past 12 months would be their dream advertising campaign.

First he added the WBA super-bantamweight title to his IBF title by beating England's Scott Quigg in January.

Image source, Getty Images

Then he collected an MBE, awarded for services to boxing, at Buckingham Palace in March...

Image source, Getty Images

And then he took the WBA featherweight belt from previously-undefeated Mexican Leo Santa Cruz in July, becoming first Northern Irish fighter to win a world title in two weight divisions.

Image source, Getty Images

Can he begin 2017 with a bang?