The boy from Balcatta, Cody Haddon, becomes newest Perth addition to the UFC

Cody Haddon has become the newest Perth based addition to the UFC, as the bantamweight successfully secured a contract on the latest episode of Dana White’s Contender Series in Las Vegas.

Haddon defeated Billy Brand in the first round of their fight to earn himself a spot on the UFC roster.

Haddon dropped Brand with strikes on the feet, before jumping on his back and locking in a choke to earn the submission victory in front of UFC President Dana White.

Haddon’s teammate, lightweight Quillan Salkilld will also have an opportunity to earn himself a place in the UFC when he appears on an episode of Dana White’s Contender Series in two weeks.

Contender Series is a show produced by the UFC that has the best unsigned prospects in the world fight each other for a UFC contract, however, a win does not guarantee a contract, as it is at the discretion of UFC President Dana White as to who is offered a place in the organisation.

“Cody…you know the answer to the question. Get over here kid, you’re in the UFC,” said White as he announced Haddon’s contract.

In the post-fight press conference, Haddon revealed there was no way he was going to let the opportunity to finish the fight and earn a contract pass him by.

“It’s just killer instinct I guess, as soon as you smell the blood you go. I’ve always had that…I’m there to kill or be killed, 24/7,” said Haddon.

White labelled the evening as an “odd night”, which initially caused Haddon some anxiety, however the Perth native confident he had done enough to earn a contract to the UFC.

“I was thinking ‘maybe he didn’t like my fight’ but then I thought how could he not?”

Haddon’s professional record now sits at 7-1, his only loss being a decision loss to UFC title challenger and fellow Perth UFC fighter Steve Erceg.

Header Image Credit: Ken Hathway (MMA Junkie)