McKee determined to 'walk the walk' against Sola

Rhys McKee won his first UFC fight in April against Daniel Frunza

"A bit less talking and more walking" helped Ballymena's Rhys McKee to his first win in the UFC and he is confident there will be more to celebrate in Paris on Saturday when he faces Axel Sola.

The 29-year-old welterweight is a decade into his professional MMA career and in his second stint with the UFC after successful spells with Cage Warriors.

His overall record stands at 14-6-1 but prior to April's trip to Las Vegas to face Daniel Frunza, he had yet to taste success in four UFC outings. That would change with a first-round TKO which also earned him a $50,000 [£37,000] performance bonus.

On Saturday, he intends to make it back-to-back wins when he takes on Nice native and UFC debutant Sola with April's victory providing a fresh spring in his step.

"Like any sport, coming off a win and big performance, it definitely helps moving forward," McKee told BBC Sport NI.

"The fight game has a way of pulling you back to reality. There's a lot of hard work to be done so, as I said after the last fight, it's not job done but job started - and this is just the next work day.

"It's satisfying but the best days of my career haven't been written yet. This story of resilience is great but this next chapter will bring more glory."

'Stopping before I reach my goal is impossible'

McKee's win over Frunza was his first victory in the UFC

McKee has experienced ups and downs but accepts "everything is a lesson" and there was no suggestion he would give up on his goals.

His appetite for hard work has not waned and after the victory over Frunza showed what he can do, McKee is eager to further repay those who have stood by him.

"Anybody who has stuck to the journey knows it's turning now and we're on to a good run," he continued.

"You just can't give up, even though it would have been very easy to do so. I know deep down this is everything I want. Stopping before I reach what I want would be impossible.

"I've just committed fully to the team at Fight Academy Ireland. If you can hang in there, anywhere in the world will be fine because the level of those mats is so high. Sometimes you feel as though you're regressing until you get to the fights and deliver a performance."

McKee intends to fight three times this year and should all go to plan on Saturday, he will seek a return in November or December.

His French opponent is undefeated in 11 professional contests but is yet to fight at this level and the Ballymena man feels his experience will be a key factor.

"I know what it's like to come in here as a debutant and what it's like to be short notice," said McKee.

"I've been the guy who has stepped up and flown around the world on six days' notice.

"I've a test but this will be a Rhys McKee performance coming up and whoever is in front of me in the UFC would go the same way."