Former UFC employee Sal Everett earns fighting contract with first-round knockout

Sal Everett has earned a UFC fighting contract after stopping Ozzy Martin in the opening round of their bout on Dana White's Contender Series, completing a move from the promotion's staff to its fighter roster. BBC Sport reported that White awarded the 29-year-old American a deal following the knockout, which extended Everett's unbeaten professional record to five victories.

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Everett finished fellow American Martin with a combination in the first round. The result followed four wins at the start of his professional career, a run that had earned him the opportunity to compete on the Contender Series. He took that chance with a stoppage and secured a contract from the same organisation that had previously employed him away from the cage.

His connection with the UFC began about three years ago, when he joined as a security guard. He subsequently became a runner for White, carrying out errands while also training in mixed martial arts. According to the BBC's account, Everett continued developing his fighting career alongside those duties before recently leaving his job to concentrate on competing professionally.

White said he had struggled to restrain his reaction to Everett's victory and explained that he got up and walked away because he did not want to celebrate excessively. He praised Everett personally and said the contract would change his circumstances by allowing him to focus on fighting rather than working in the office. His comments reflected a relationship established before the Contender Series appearance.

In his post-fight interview, Everett addressed White as his boss and said he was ready to compete in the UFC. He also told the division he would not turn away from challenges. Those remarks followed the win that secured his contract; the BBC report did not identify his first UFC opponent or give a date for his next fight.

The award came a week after another successful Contender Series appearance produced a UFC contract for Britain's George Staines. Staines stopped Loai Abushaar in 61 seconds to earn his deal, according to BBC Sport. Everett has now followed him into the promotion after converting his own opportunity into a first-round finish.