Welcome To The UFC | DWCS, Season 10, Week 4

White started by paying tribute to Rivera’s toughness, before sharing his excitement and enthusiasm for Darby’s performance.

“With this last fight, I want to start off by saying, Patrick Rivera, you are one of the toughest human beings that I've ever seen in my life!” he said.

“And Adam, I told the matchmakers in the first round, I said this guy's going to finish this fight with leg kicks – an absolute masterclass with leg kicks and setting up other ways to do damage off the leg kicks. But that was before I knew that Patrick Rivera was a cyborg! I mean, the guy never limped. He never flinched. He didn't switch stances. He didn't. And thank God the ref stopped that fight. His corner should have stopped the fight. But you systematically just broke this guy down. Absolutely surgical. Welcome to the UFC!”

For Darby, it was the fulfillment of a dream, as he made good on the promise to himself in a note he’d written on his phone eight years ago.

“One of the worst stoppages I've ever seen on the Contender Series. Horrible stoppage by the ref,” said White, before addressing Rodrigues directly.

“Not your fault!” he said. “You were doing your job and doing what you were supposed to do. You were all over this guy. Come on over here!”

It meant that Rodrigues became the latest Brazilian fighter to join the UFC roster, with the former K-1 kickboxing ace overcome with pride and happiness after achieving his dream of reaching the big stage with the UFC.

READ: September's Must-See Matchups

“Just immense happiness and joy,” he explained. “It hasn't dawned on me yet, but I know why this worked. It was nine months away from my family sacrificing to be right here. I’ll continue to work for the people, and that’s what I’d like to say. I will work even harder to put on a show for you guys.”

Silvestre Sanchez: Power-packed 155er

Silvestre Sanchez engaged in an entertaining back-and-forth battle with England’s Liam McCracken in their lightweight matchup, with the Mexican prospect showing off a number of facets of his MMA game before eventually putting the capstone on a strong performance with a huge knockout in the third round.

Sanchez showcased his pressure fighting abilities as he walked down McCracken, executed takedowns, showed some solid ground and pound, and even came close to locking up an armbar submission.

"He said that he thought it was 1-1 going into the third round. Maybe this guy's too young. Maybe he's not experienced enough. Maybe he needs to get more experience," Sanchez recalled. "And as soon as he was thinking that, here came the left hook and he said, 'Do not let me think. And you guys, you did exactly that. You never let me think about it.'"

Sanchez didn’t, and he’s now a UFC fighter as a result.

Gabriel Lorenco: A new ‘heavyweight beast’ has arrived

Brazil’s Gabriel Lorenco produced a display full of venom as he demolished American Charlie Cleveland in their heavyweight matchup to earn a UFC roster spot and immediately put the rest of the division on notice.

UPCOMING UFC EVENT TICKETS: UFC Edmonton | UFC 332 | Noche UFC

Lorenco needed just two minutes and two seconds to get the job done, as he rocked, dropped, and finished Cleveland in vicious fashion to announce his arrival as the latest new danger man to join the UFC heavyweight division.

“Gabriel. All I can say to you is incredible performance!” said White. “The UFC has a new 26-year-old heavyweight beast! Welcome, Gabriel!”

Loreno was elated to earn his UFC contract and said that now that he’s reached the big stage, the hard work only gets harder from here.

"This is the happiest day in my life," said Lorenco. "That's what you work for. I'm so happy to be here, and I think what changes now is that you work double. I'm ready to go, and that's what we're going to do.”

Adam Livingston: Toughest test led to biggest win

The opening bout of the night saw Adam Livingston and Hunter Smith go back and forth for the full 15-minute duration in a thrilling lightweight matchup that left the judges split on the identity of the victor.

In the end, it was Livingston who took the win, and while White admitted he wasn’t sure who had won the fight at the bout’s conclusion, he decided to give the 8-1 fighter from Nassau, New York a shot on the big stage.

“Great fight,” said the UFC boss.“I had it 1-1 going into the last round. Then, towards the end of the third round, the punch stat was even. Me and the matchmakers had no clue who won. A split decision was announced. Great fight, and congratulations, we’re bringing you into the UFC.”