TLDR
- Salhahuddin Everett knocked out Ozzy Martin at 1:57 of round one on Dana White’s Contender Series
- Everett worked as a UFC security guard and runner before earning his contract
- Dana White offered Everett the Contender Series opportunity while Everett stocked his refrigerator
- The 29-year-old Las Vegas native improved his record to 5-0 with the victory
- Everett received one of four UFC contracts handed out on Week 9 of Season 10
Sources: yardbarker.com | thesportingtribune.com | sherdog.com
Las Vegas native Salhahuddin Everett went from checking IDs at the UFC Apex to earning a UFC contract Tuesday night. The 29-year-old welterweight knocked out Ozzy Martin in the first round at Dana White’s Contender Series Season 10, Week 9.
Everett stopped Martin with a boxing combination at 1:57 of the opening round. The finish improved Everett’s record to 5-0 and earned him one of four UFC contracts awarded on the night.
Dana White explains his emotional reaction to signing UFC employee Salahuddin Everett at #DWCS.
"I don't want to be out there jumping around like a little girl after he wins." pic.twitter.com/cmLuLNhFln
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) October 7, 2026
From Employee to Fighter
Just three years ago, Everett worked security at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. He later took a job as a runner for the promotion, handling tasks like stocking refrigerators and running errands.
The opportunity to fight on the Contender Series came during one of those work shifts. While Everett was stocking Dana White’s refrigerator, the UFC president asked if matchmakers Hunter Campbell and Sean Shelby had contacted him yet.
When Everett said no, White told him he wanted to see him on the Contender Series. “I was giddy like a little school girl,” Everett said during the post-fight press conference.
Everett trains at Freestyle MMA Las Vegas under coach Gokor Ambaryan. He joined the gym in 2023 and climbed the local MMA ranks with quick finishes in promotions like Tuff-N-Uff.
Support and Personal Struggles
The crowd support inside the META Apex impressed both White and longtime UFC media members. UFC fighters Jamahal Hill and Sean Sharaf were seen celebrating cageside after the knockout.
White said some UFC Fight Night events don’t get as loud as the crowd was for Everett’s fight. The UFC president later revealed he left his seat after the knockout to avoid being seen celebrating on camera.
Everett has faced personal challenges this year. He and his wife lost their baby 34 weeks into pregnancy.
“Life is hard. Fighting is easy,” Everett said. “And this is just all a blessing. I’m blessed to be here in this position.”
White praised Everett’s character at the start of the post-fight press conference. “He’s one of the greatest kids ever and it couldn’t happen to a better person,” White said.
Martin dropped to 4-1 with the loss in his Contender Series debut. Both fighters entered with unblemished amateur credentials before turning professional.
Everett said he wants to stay active and build his resume against the welterweight division. “I’m here for a good time and I’m a fan of the whole welterweight division, so I want to build my resume by fighting everybody,” he stated.
Ambaryan’s gym is opening a new 9,000 square foot facility on October 17. The coach moved to Las Vegas in 2016 and started his MMA gym in a garage.
“Gokor is the best. He doesn’t sugarcoat anything,” Everett said about his coach. “He tells you how it is, wears his heart in his sleeve, and yeah, I’m so blessed to have Gokor be my coach and be in my corner.”
Everett now waits for his first official UFC fight assignment under his new contract.
