Joe McColgan says winning the Cage Warriors lightweight title is "beyond my wildest dreams".
The Belfast MMA fighter became the first Irishman since Conor McGregor to win the coveted belt with a dominant display over Agy Sardari at London's York Hall.
He did it in style, submitting champion Sardari with a perfectly executed guillotine choke midway through the third round to force his Dutch opponent to tap out.
It was sweet redemption for McColgan who lost out to Mason Jones in his previous lightweight title attempt 15 months ago.
"This is beyond my wildest dreams," McColgan told UFC Fight Pass.
"I got into this sport 12 years ago [and] never did I imagine I'd be crowned champion of such a prestigious event.
"I'm in a lion pit here with young hungry knockout artists and I've climbed my way to the top, now I'm the champion."
McColgan accepted his first title shot last year at just six days' notice, but this time he had a solid 12-week training camp and promised a big performance - and he duly delivered.
"It's like comparing apples and oranges," he added.
"I took that on six days' notice and I wasn't ready physically, I wasn't ready mentally, and the results showed.
"From that I changed my mindset; a champions mindset: Only take fights when I'm fully prepared."
