Sal Everett Goes From UFC Staffer to Fighter with Electric KO!

Sal Everett (5-0 MMA, 1-0 DWCS) had humble beginnings in the UFC, as he worked as a member of Dana White's security staff. While working in the UFC, Everett pursued MMA as a sport. Heading into DWCS 95 on Tuesday night, he was unbeaten in professional MMA at 4-0.

A veteran of Tuff-N-Uff, Everett, nicknamed "Bundy," was booked for the DWCS 95 co-main event. Tuesday night, he drew the assignment of Ozzy Martin (4-1 MMA, 0-1 DWCS.) 

Like Sal Everett, Ozzy Martin also entered DWCS 95 on Tuesday night with an unbeaten 4-0 record. Everett, however, was five years Martin's elder in this contest.

Sal Everett Makes Quick Work of Ozzy Martin Tuesday

Right from the command to fight from referee Marc Goddard, both Sal Everett and Ozzy Martin moved in on one another to try and land a major strike. While Martin landed some kicks to the liver and leg, Everett hunted for a finish.

"This is not your normal UFC employee," said John Schiffren, who was working DWCS 95 as the blow-by-blow commentator. Upon Martin pursuing a single-leg takedown, Everett defended it and remained standing.

As the first round of a scheduled three reached the two-minute mark, Sal Everett delivered a right hook, dropping Ozzy Martin. Marc Goddard waved off the contest just shy of two minutes into the opening frame of the co-main attraction inside Meta Apex in Enterprise, NV.

"This place is going nuts," Schiffren exclaimed. "Salahuddin Everett, a UFC employee, but could he be soon a UFC fighter?"

Sal Everett Scores UFC Deal in DWCS 95

With Sal Everett having been placed on the co-main event of DWCS 95 on Tuesday night, he'd have a short wait to find out whether or not he'd become a member of the UFC as a competitor. Upon the conclusion of the DWCS 95 main event matching Preston LaGrange (7-1 MMA, 1-0 DWCS) against Nell Ariano (6-1 MMA, 0-1 DWCS,) UFC CEO Dana White met backstage with analyst Laura Sanko to hand out promotional contracts.

"Sal, so, we've had title fights in here," White said. "I don't know if it's ever been as loud as it was tonight for your fight." Before making his ruling, White took a moment to acknowledge how he and his colleagues feel about Everett.

"Listen, everybody at the UFC loves you," he continued. "You're a great kid. Forget about the whole fighting and the contract: You are a great human being. This could not happen to a better person. You have worked your way from the bottom up, and let me tell you what: All the Boston guys were texting me on my phone tonight, saying 'Your boy's in trouble. This guy's a real guy.'"

Dana White Makes Sal Everett's Deal Official

From there, Sal Everett heard the words he'd been waiting the entire day for.

"It's kind of weird," White said, "because you're already at the UFC, but Sal, welcome to the UFC." All told, four fighters who appeared on DWCS 95 secured UFC deals. Heading into next Tuesday's DWCS 96, 42 fighters who have appeared in the 10th anniversary season of DWCS have won contracts through the program.