Mandel Nallo has paid his mixed martial arts dues. Now the veteran Canadian lightweight looks to reap the rewards in the UFC.

Nallo (14-3-0 with one no-contest) fought his way into the UFC on Sept. 2 with an impressive first-round knockout of Brazilian Samuel Silva on "Dana White's Contender Series."

It was a victory years in the making for the 36-year-old, who made his pro debut in November 2012.

"It kind of had to happen that way. But I'm glad I proved a lot of people right when they were telling me I deserved to be in the UFC a long time ago," said Nallo.

He now has some certainty in his fighting future. How much depends on how he fares in the Octagon.

"The difference is I'm confident good news will come," he said. "Whereas before signing to the UFC, you're like just hoping for any

See Full Page