Las Vegas, NV — Brazilian flyweight Vinicius Salvador was in high spirits following a wildly entertaining Contender Series fight on Tuesday.
Salvador (14-4) had opponent Shannon Ross hurt several times, and finished him off in the second round. The TKO finish earned Salvador his fourth straight win, and more importantly, a UFC contract.
“It’s a dream come true, and I can’t wait to actually be fighting at a UFC event,” Salvador exclaimed after the event, speaking via translator to media outlets including Cageside Press.
For what is believed to be the first time in Dana White’s Contender Series history, White himself entered the cage Tuesday to congratulate the pair. Salvador was hoping it might actually lead to a post-fight bonus.
“It was surreal that he came up there, but I waited for the bonus,” he stated. “Maybe the first bonus in the Contender Series? I mean I come from knockouts, I always knock people out, and if it goes down to the ground, it’s going to be a submission. That’s how it’s always been, and you rest assured, you can wait on it, that’s how it’s always going to be going forward.”
As he enters the UFC, the flyweight has set his sights high. “I’m ready for everything. I’m that guy that believes in process. So you can bring on the best. You can bring top 15, you can bring top 5, you can bring anybody. I’m ready to go, and I said it, I’m going for the top and I’m going to be the new flyweight champion.”
With the energy of Monster energy drinks, he added jokingly. As for celebrating the win — another UFC sponsor, Howler Head whiskey, might just be part of that.
Watch the full Dana White’s Contender Series 48 post-fight media appearance by Vinicius Salvador above.
