His UFC dream nearly cost him a job; now he’s fighting for a contract

Salhahuddin Everett, a UFC runner employed by the promotion, is set to fight Ozzy Martin for a professional UFC contract on Dana White's Contender Series Week 9 on October 6. Both fighters enter the bout undefeated at 4-0.

Everett's path to this opportunity is notable: he initially applied to work for the UFC in 2019 but was not hired after telling the director of security that he wanted to become a UFC fighter within five years. "I remember telling the director of security—he asked me where I would see myself in five years—and I told him, 'Fighting for the UFC.' And he actually didn't give me the job for whatever reason," Everett told Spinnin' Backfist. He eventually joined the company through a third-party security agency before transitioning into his current role as a full-time runner.

If Everett defeats Martin, he would become the first UFC employee to earn a fighter contract directly from the company. His professional record is impressive: he has finished all four of his fights in the first round and compiled a perfect 4-0 amateur record as well. Everett's journey from a rejected job applicant to a potential UFC signee represents a remarkable turnaround, with the opportunity to pursue his stated dream of competing at the highest level of mixed martial arts.