Oban Elliot has become the latest Welsh fighter to sign with UFC after overcoming Kaik Brito on Dana White's Contender Series in Las Vegas.
The Welsh welterweight outscored the Brazilian 29-28, 29-28, 28-28 to claim victory by majority decision, a win which earns him a lucrative deal with one of the world's most well-known sports brands.
Speaking after earning his contract, MMA fighter Elliott said: "I genuinely can't put it into words, I'm a kid who has turned a childhood dream into a reality.
"I wasn't nervous, I think I needed a clip to get me going. The first round was pretty even, he was predictable but hit me hard and woke me up in the second.
"I'd love to be back before the end of the year, there's a big UFC London card with Jon Jones."
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Elliot is the seventh fighter from Wales to make it to UFC, following on from Brett Johns, Jack Marshman, John Phillips, Jack Shore, Cory McKenna and Mason Jones.
Confirming the 25-year-old's contract, UFC president White said after the bout: "I don't know anyone who wants it badder."
Elliott, who hails from Merthyr Tydfil, has come through the ranks of smaller promoter Cage Warriors in recent years, and now boasts a 9-2 career record with this latest victory.
After such a momentous evening, he admits the time has now come to perhaps consider giving up the day job.
"I work on the railways, a track worker," he said. "The shifts are 10pm-8am on the shovel. I'm getting in at 8am when the sun's up, getting four or five hours sleep, straight to strength and conditioning, and straight to training, and have got a night shift again.
"Financially, I've been paying bills, working full-time. It's been a nightmare. I've got a university degree in business management, the amount of times I've sat there and thought 'I could get a good job, what am I putting myself through all this stress, going skint for - for what?'
"I had to do it this way and I wouldn't change it, because as I go full-time now fighting in the best organisation in the world where I can put everything into it, my dream's come true. I have a feeling I'm going to have a special run.
"If my past is to go by, I'm not going to take no for an answer in the UFC just like I've not taken no for an answer in life.
"I had a troubled time growing up and I had a dream and I've had to work full-time this whole time and have had to fight tough guys. I've stumbled, had to retire once through medical issues.
"If I've got a message for any young kid coming up, if you've got an idea and you want to be somewhere, don't stop, don't take no for an answer. It's not going to be given to you, so go and f***ing take it, like I just did."
