Paddy Pimblett has explained his rejections of UFC in the past and admitted that there was a point where he was concerned he wouldn't get the opportunity again.
The Liverpool fighter had a successful debut with a triumphant display against Luigi Vendramini in Las Vegas, announcing himself on the UFC stage.
It's been a long-time coming for 'Paddy the Baddy', having rejected Dana White twice in the past - a decision he hasn't regretted.
“I’ve turned UFC down twice, 2016 and 2018, if I was lying I think someone at the UFC would have said by now that I’m chatting s***," he said.
"But they know it’s true, they asked in 2016 when I won the belt and I was 21, then they asked me in 2018 when the UFC came to Liverpool and Molly said yeah.
"When I look back, I’m glad I said no because it wouldn’t have blown up the way it has now and the wages Cage Warriors were giving me, I’ve got my own house, I helped my Mum pay her mortgage off, I helped my sister sort her kitchen out. On the UFC wages I wouldn’t have been able to do that.
“There was only one time that I did fear that it wouldn’t come and that was when I had to have surgery on my hand again. That was the lowest I’ve ever been, I never wanted to wake up in the morning around those times, let alone think about fighting.
"But that was the only time, apart from that I’ve always said it’s not a question of if UFC will sign me, it’s when. I was always when, they want stars, people who can put bums on seats and that’s me. I’m a marketer’s wet dream and I will continue to be that."
Now he's made his impact in UFC, Pimblett's target is to keep growing and eventually become a title-holder in the sport.
"If you don’t want to be a world champion then you’re in the wrong sport. I don’t think anyone could beat me, I’m not going to lose, I know I’m not going to get top 10, top 15 now but it doesn’t matter who you put in front of me, I know I’m going to win and I’ll take things slowly, I don’t mind.
"I’m not being paid enough to fight top 10 or 15 yet so I’ll take a fight against anyone and I really think it will be in England, so let’s just hope that late November, early December, get me in a co-main event spot and I’ll blow the roof off.”
