Tonight at TD Garden, that goal will be realized with UFC 118, a 10-fight card highlighted by heavyweights Randy Couture vs. James Toney and, for the lightweight title, BJ Penn vs. Frankie Edgar.

For White, the week has been as exciting as it has been dizzying. He is thrilled that so much of the area has embraced the sport.

“I’m blown away by the coverage,’’ said White. “I feel like the Red Sox or the Patriots. It’s refreshing.’’

White said everything has gone off without a hitch so far, including a fan expo at the Hynes Convention Center, which started yesterday and continues today and features new Celtic Shaquille O’Neal in a question-and-answer session at noon (moderated by UFC commentator Mike Goldberg).

“It’s been perfect,’’ said White. “I couldn’t picture it any better than it has been. Right up to now, it’s exceeded my expectations. Hopefully, [the event] exceeds my expectations.’’

White said fans who have never seen a live UFC event are in for a memorable experience.

“This is a bold statement to say in this town, but I’m going to say it right now: This will be the most exciting live sporting event anyone has ever seen here,’’ he said. “The energy and the buzz and the excitement, it’s hard to explain.

“Many people have seen the UFC on television and it’s fun, it’s cool. When you’re here live, we do a completely different show live than what we do on TV. It’s going to blow a lot of people away.’’

Tonight, the two will meet in a lightweight fight.

Lauzon had been slotted to fight Terry Etim, but Etim had to pull out because of a broken rib.

“I trained with him quite a bit on the show [in 2007],’’ said Lauzon. “He got kicked out of the house because he didn’t make weight and that led to all the cake jokes.

“But he’s very, very good. He’s a black belt in Brazilian jiujitsu, so he’s very good on the ground. He has pretty good stand-up [skills]. He’s a pretty well-rounded fighter.’’

At yesterday’s weigh-in, Lauzon came in at 156 pounds, with Ruediger at 155. Lauzon said one look at Ruediger led him to believe that his opponent struggled to make the limit.

“Personally, I think he looks terrible,’’ said Lauzon. “I saw him at the hotel [Thursday] and he was white as a ghost. He didn’t look good at all, so I think he had a tough time making weight. I’m sure he’s gotten better in the last couple of years, but I’ve gotten better, too. I’m super confident.’’

Lauzon is expecting a short fight and predicted he will prevail.

“Probably a first-round knockout or submission,’’ he said. “For sure.’’

Nancy Marrapese-Burrell can be reached at marrapese@globe.com.