Elliott 'insanely grateful' for UFC 309 moment

Oban Elliott earned his spot in the UFC through Dana White's Contender Series

British welterweight Oban Elliott says he is "insanely grateful" for his "big crowning moment" in Madison Square Garden.

'The Welsh Gangster' capped off a brilliant debut year in the UFC with a third round TKO win over Bassil Hafez in New York in November.

In doing so, Elliott earned a performance of the night bonus and cemented his spot by signing a new contract with the promotion.

The 27-year-old stressed the importance of being patient as he earned his third win of the year on his third pay per view card.

"On a card with the heavyweight championship of the world, the second highest grossing event in MSG history, fourth highest gate in UFC history, I stood out as performance of the night on that card," said Elliott.

"I had to be grateful to be there, patient with the process, rather than rush looking to stand out.

"It was inevitable that I was eventually going to stand out on one of these cards and I stood out on UFC 309."

Elliott says he was thrilled to stamp his mark at the event.

"The money means absolutely nothing to me, it couldn't mean less, it's the performance of the night on a night like that, that means the world.

"The money will get spent, that will live forever."

Taking aim at the welterweight rankings and the title

Elliott fought in Manchester in July on the UFC 304 card where the welterweight title changed hands from Leon Edwards to Belal Muhammad.

It is a title that Elliott has strived to have in his possession since he was young.

"When I was a 10-year-old kid I wanted to be champion of the world and that hasn't changed," said Elliott.

"What's more believable? Going from absolutely nothing, telling every person that I know that I'll fight in the UFC one day or being 3-0 in the UFC and telling you I'm coming for the title?"

Elliott is under no illusion as to what his ultimate goal is.

"I'll be on those rankings one day of course," he added.

"What can I say? I don't strive to be number 12 in the world or 10.

"I'm already number one in my mind; I always have been. I've seen it."

With the retirement of Jack Shore and Cory McKenna's release this year, Elliott is now the lone Welsh fighter under contract in the UFC.

He insists he does not feel the pressure.

"I don't put pressure on myself or my fights," said the Merthyr-born fighter.

"It's the same sport and art I've always done since a kid when I did it for free, did it for fun, so I'm just grateful I get to do it."

When asked what advice he would give his younger self, Elliott said:

"I'd just say don't even think about stopping yet young man, keep going.

"You see that vision that you can see so crystal clear, never let go of it, chase it and chase it, keep digging and digging.

"It will be so far away and then in the palm of your hands so keep going and stay out the pub!"

Elliott was back in the Shore Mixed Martial Arts gym in Abertillery just a week after his performance in New York.

"Of course I'm back in the gym," said Elliott.

"Every single second I put in on that mat. I don't see it as a chore, it's something I've done for fun, to self medicate all my life and it's something I see as money in the bank."

Elliott says keeping a grateful attitude has been key to his successes.

"I feel like the more grateful you are for things, the more the good things come to you and I'm just enjoying the ride

"I can't wait to see what I do next and how far I can take this.

"If it's anything like how I see it going then it's going to be fun."

Elliott has made no secret of wanting to honour his late father Paul in his career.

The fight in Madison Square Garden provided a moment of celebration for their family, especially his mother.

"It's just really emotional for me to talk to her, to see how happy she is for the life we've had to endure, the well documented darkness we went through.

"It meant the world to give something back in a positive way.

"As I look back now, that chapter of my life, I've capped that off, my debut year in the UFC, my way of avenging my hardships was always getting to the UFC.

"My first year I capped it off like that, it was like it was written because I believe it genuinely was written, onwards and upwards."