Daniil Donchenko met the media Saturday after his win over Rodrigo Sezinando at UFC Fight Night 259.<\/p>\n
Donchenko (12-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) put Sezinando (8-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) away with a first-round TKO at Frost bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, to win the Season 33 “Ultimate Fighter” title at welterweight.<\/p>\n
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Donchenko and Sezinando were supposed to fight in their “TUF 33” finale at UFC 319 in Chicago a month ago, but a Sezinando injury pushed the bout to Noche UFC. Donchenko said the extra wait was worth it.<\/p>\n
“Finally, after months and months and months, I can say officially I’m a UFC fighter,” Donchenko said. “It’s an amazing feeling. It’s time to make money.”<\/p>\n
Donchenko opened the show with a brutal finish and hoped it would be enough to get a $50,000 bonus. But 13 fights later, he was shut out of that prize, but thinks he’ll have more opportunities soon.<\/p>\n
“(My left hand) is my weapon,” Donchenko said. “Now I can’t fly back home. They won’t let me step in the airport because this is a dangerous weapon. Probably, I’ll be locked here in San Antonio. Someone bring me some barbecue tonight.<\/p>\n
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“I think everyone will hold me on the ground (after this). Fck. That’s bullsht. maybe I should wrestle next time and (future opponents) will think, ‘Oh, better strike with him.’ But to be honest, I don’t care. I’m ready, and I’m pretty sure the UFC will give me good opponents and we’ll put on a good show.”<\/p>\n
Check out Donchenko’s post-fight interview in the video below.<\/p>\n