After social media push, Welsh star John Phillips gets UFC call-up
Welsh middleweight star John Phillips embarked on a social media campaign to earn himself a place in the UFC, and was rewarded with a debut bout on January 28
JOHN Phillips went out on a limb, and he got his wish. Now the big Welshman is finally part of the UFC.
After the success of fellow countrymen Brett Johns and Jack Marshman at , the big-punching Welshman leapt into action, using his Twitter account to call for his own shot in the UFC.
And, not content with the straight-talking selfie video message he posted last month, Phillips went the extra yard to let the UFC bosses know he was waiting for their call.
'The White Mike Tyson' spent a day out, taking an old school telephone with him wherever he went.
He started his day in bed, before getting showered and setting off for a haircut.
Then he took a trip to the coast for an ice cream, followed by a stint playing in an amusement arcade.
And every step of the way he had his trusty telephone, as he showed in a brilliant series of photos as he documented his day waiting for the UFC's call.
And his efforts didn't go unnoticed, as UFC bosses signed him up, booking him in a debut contest against Brazilian Marcos Rogerio de Lima at UFC Fight Night in Denver on January 28.
Phillips revealed that the bout will be held at the 205lb light-heavyweight division, as he posted a message to his fans via Twitter.
"The phone hasn't stopped, I'm buzzing to be in. I've got a lot of hard work," he said.
"I'm fighting at light heavyweight first, got a tough Brazilian. It's gonna be a good scrap.
"One of us is going to sleep. With a bit of luck it's him!"
The SBG-trained middleweight has a career record of with 18 wins by knockout.
And as his campaigning on Twitter shows, he's been desperate to showcase his heavy hands on the world's biggest stage.
And now he'll get his chance.
