LAS VEGAS -- Sal Everett, a personal assistant to Dana White, earned a UFC contract Tuesday with a first-round knockout at Contender Series.
Everett (5-0) knocked out Ozzy Martin (4-1) at 1:57 of the opening round of their welterweight matchup at the UFC Meta Apex. The finish came after Everett folded Martin along the fence with a pair of right hands.
Everett, 29, was one of the highest-profile stories of the season. He has worked for the UFC as a runner, doing personal errands such as stocking the fridge in White's office, and said he received his invitation to compete on Contender Series from White himself.
"Sal, we've had title fights in here, and I don't know if it's ever been as loud as it was tonight," White said of the Meta Apex. "Everybody at the UFC loves you, you're a great kid. Forget fighting and the contract, you're a great human being. This could not happen to a better person. You have worked your way from the bottom up. You could not have won more impressively. It's kind of weird because you're already at the UFC, but Sal, welcome to the UFC."
Despite the quick finish, it was not an easy victory for Everett. Martin came out aggressively and had early success with kicks to the body.
Everett weathered the early exchanges, however, and went to work on Martin behind the jab. The power difference was quickly apparent, and Martin started to back off immediately once Everett established the jab. It didn't take Everett long from there to land the finishing blows.
The Las Vegas-based fighter has a 100% finish rate as an amateur and pro, with three knockouts and two submissions in his pro career.
"Just one moment at a time, trust my coaches' plan," Everett said about his nerves in Tuesday's fight. "Get behind the jab and we'll find the next punch. Contender Series is just the first step in this journey."