Nick Newell reflects on Contender Series loss: ‘I don’t want anything given to me’

Lightweight fighter Nick Newell was met with disappointment on Tuesday night after losing via decision to Team Alpha Male’s Alex Muñoz during Dana White’s Contender Series. He also lost his shot at a UFC contract, something he has been campaigning for since 2013.

A rightfully disappointed Newell spoke to the media after his loss, where he showed nothing but class towards his opponent.

“He was the better man,” Newell said (transcript via MMAjunkie). “I don’t make excuses. It’s a fight, and it wasn’t my day. It was his day, and he deserves it. I worked 17 years for this. A lot of people take breaks and are doing other things all week, partying and stuff like that. I’m always focused, always training, and this is a lifestyle choice for me. I’m just going to get better from here.

“I am who I am because I’m never content. Nothing’s ever good enough for me. I’m a guy who lost his first 17 wrestling matches and went on to be all-state, went on to win a world title in MMA. (I was)14-1, and now I’m 14-2. It sucks, but this is the game we play. There are winners, and there are losers. Today wasn’t my day.”

Newell said he was able to have a short chat with UFC president Dana White, who congratulated him for a “good job.” Nonetheless, he is still looking to pursue his passion for fighting, as he continues to make his way towards earning the opportunity to fight on MMA’s biggest stage.

“I just want to fight in the UFC, but nothing is given. Everything is earned,” Newell said. “I’ve taken the hard route my whole life, and I’m used to it. I don’t want anything given to me. I want everything I’ve earned. All I asked for was a chance. I got my chance, and I didn’t make the most of it.

“I have it. I know I have it, and I’ve just got to show it. I’ve got to sit back, and I’ve got to watch and I’ve got to learn. … I’m better than what I showed, and I just have to work and get better and improve.”

After his loss to Muñoz, the 31-year-old Newell now holds a professional record of 14-2 (with 11 wins by stoppage).