Nick Newell came up short in his bid for a UFC contract, but he certainly didn’t waste his long-awaited shot.
Newell (14-2), a congenital amputee with a left arm that extends just past his elbow, suffered a unanimous decision defeat to Alex Munoz (5-0) at Dana White’s “Tuesday Night Contender Series” in a bout he hoped would land him an exclusive deal with the UFC.
Nick Newell had 15 seconds of success the entire fight. #DWTNCS
Here's the highlights for you asking. pic.twitter.com/x4x7yROHrE
— The King (@mma_inciter) July 25, 2018
Nick Newell showed himself to be a fighter, period, not a fighter with a disability. And that’s what he wanted from this opportunity. Good job by him, and good job by Alex Munoz, who was simply too much to handle.
— Jeff Wagenheim (@jeffwagenheim) July 25, 2018
In 2012, UFC president White stated that he would never consider signing Newell to a deal, saying it was too dangerous for a fighter missing a portion of his arm to compete at the highest level.
Nick Newell is a one armed fighter with an incredible record of 14-1. His only loss is to Justin Gaethje. He came to me and wanted the opportunity to get into the @ufc. Today he fights on Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series to win a contract at 8pm on @UFCFightPass! pic.twitter.com/HUO2PMzrpr
— Dana White (@danawhite) July 24, 2018
Nick Newell definitely showed himself to be a legit fighter, one handed or two, so he walks away a winner no matter what.
