On week seven of Dana White's Contender Series, Cage Warriors stand out Francesco Mazzeo will fight for his place on the UFC roster.
Following his last fight at CW 174 in July where he pulled off a stunning knockout in under 40 seconds, Mazzeo was told backstage that the next time he'd be stepping inside a cage, it'd be at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
He responded to the news in a post-fight interview with Cage Warriors.
"I was in my locker room and Graham (Boylan) came to me and he said, 'I have news for you Francesco, you're going to fight the 21st September in Dana White's Contender Series,' and my jaw dropped down. I couldn't breathe because I swear to god, since I was a child, it was my biggest dream. I can't believe that. I have to realise."
The European promotion has invested heavily in the Italian scene in recent years.
Cage Warriors has recently announced it's next event in the Italian capital with CW 179 taking place in Rome on November 2.
However, for Mazzeo, his recent development has taken place in the United States as part of the MMA Fight Academy in California.
Alongside other CW prospects on the rise like Teddy Stringer and Anthony Orozco to name just two, the undefeated light heavyweight has made sacrifices in order to achieve his dreams.
"Yeah, sometimes to stay alone for a long time and just work alone. It's hard but when this kind of news come to us, come to me, it's giving me a lot of motivation."
After initially having a holiday booked for after his win over Vanderlei Junior, his travel plans were put on hold.
Several changes to his Contender Series fight have taken place but that isn't going to stop him from serving up the kind of performance that the boss wants to see on Wednesday night.
"I swear, Monday, I come back to my mom and my sister. Monday I will be back in the gym, twice a day, because I know Dana, you love the wild fight and I will be so wild and ready for that opportunity."
The 27-year old was emotional when talking about this opportunity that has come his way.
Mazzeo knows that this could be life-changing for him and his family and he isn't going to let anyone take that from him.
"Thank you so much my coaches, thank you Graham, you're changing my life for real and I'm just so happy."
"My opponent has to kill me. I swear."
Mazzeo will face Brazil's Kevin Christian (8-2) live on UFC Fight Pass on Wednesday 25 September.
Watch the full interview below:
