Talented mixed martial artist Nick Newell fought for a chance at joining the UFC roster on Tuesday. However, the fighter ultimately came up short. Now Newell has come forward to reveal that he and the UFC president shared a brief moment after the fight.
Nick Newell headlined Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series on July 24. Facing off against Alex Munoz, Newell suffered a tough decision loss to his opponent.
Speaking to MMA Junkie after the fight, Nick Newell offered some of his thoughts on the situation.
“Physically, I’m fine. Emotionally it hurts, but I’ve lost before, and it made me better. There’s lessons to be learned from this, and I’m just going to keep moving forward. … Right now it looks like I’m going to have to go back to the drawing board and just keep working toward the dream.”
“He was the better man. I don’t make excuses. It’s a fight, and it wasn’t my day. It was his day, and he deserves it. I worked 17 years for this. A lot of people take breaks and are doing other things all week, partying and stuff like that. I’m always focused, always training, and this is a lifestyle choice for me. I’m just going to get better from here.
“I am who I am because I’m never content. Nothing’s ever good enough for me. I’m a guy who lost his first 17 wrestling matches and went on to be all-state, went on to win a world title in MMA. (I was)14-1, and now I’m 14-2. It sucks, but this is the game we play. There are winners, and there are losers. Today wasn’t my day.”
Newell then revealed that UFC President Dana White congratulated him on his performance after the fight.
“He told me, ‘Good job.’ I just want to fight in the UFC, but nothing is given. Everything is earned. I’ve taken the hard route my whole life, and I’m used to it. I don’t want anything given to me. I want everything I’ve earned. All I asked for was a chance. I got my chance, and I didn’t make the most of it.
“I have it. I know I have it, and I’ve just got to show it. I’ve got to sit back, and I’ve got to watch and I’ve got to learn. … I’m better than what I showed, and I just have to work and get better and improve.”
