UFC SECURITY GUARD TURNED FIGHTER EARNS CONTRACT WITH KNOCKOUT

Sal Everett, a former UFC security guard and runner, knocked out fellow American Ozzy Martin in the first round of their fight on Dana White's Contender Series, earning himself a UFC contract. UFC president Dana White awarded Everett the contract after the win at DWCS 95, which took place at the UFC Apex. White said he left the arena immediately after the result because he did not want to appear to be overly celebrating given his personal connection to Everett. Everett, who turned 4-0 as a professional with the victory, said in his post-fight interview that he was ready to compete in the UFC and would not back down from any challenge in the welterweight division. Martin also entered the bout unbeaten at 4-0.

Everett joined the UFC around three years ago working as a security guard before later becoming a personal runner for White, running errands for him. He trained in mixed martial arts alongside that job and won his first four professional fights before being offered a place on the Contender Series. White said contacts in Boston had warned him before the fight that Martin posed a serious threat to Everett. According to one account of the fight, Martin made Everett work for close to two minutes before Everett landed the finishing right hook combination. Everett left his job at the UFC to focus on his fighting career after securing his spot on the show.

White described Everett as one of the best people he has known and said he was pleased for him personally. White said the contract would change Everett's life by allowing him to stop working what he called an office job. Everett's win follows that of British fighter George Staines, who was awarded a UFC contract the previous week after stopping opponent Loai Abushaar in 61 seconds on the same series. No further fights or dates for Everett have been confirmed in the reports.