Brian Kelleher lets Dana White know he's ready for UFC after Ring of Combat KO

With his opponent still down on the mat, being attended to by medical personnel, Brian Kelleher ran out of the cage. He wanted to personally deliver a message to a spectator in the crowd.

It wasn't a family member or friend. It wasn't a trainer or coach. It wasn't a fan or heckler.

It was Dana White, the president of UFC.

"I felt the need to run over to him and voice how ready I am for the big show," said Kelleher, who lives in Selden. "I ran right up to him, face-to-face and I screamed, 'I'm ready. Give me my chance!'"

White was in attendance at the Ring of Combat event in Atlantic City last Friday to scout MMA talent as part of his new show "Looking for a Fight" with Matt Serra.

He watched as the 5-6, 135-pound Kelleher won by knockout in the third round after delivering a spinning back fist to the face of Josh Robinson. It was Kelleher's fifth straight win, improving his professional record to 15-7, with 12 wins by stoppage.

"It was the most satisfying win of my career," said Kelleher, 29. "I knew that it was important to do something spectacular."

That was because of the presence of White, who Kelleher met for the first time prior to the fight. The two shook hands and posed for a picture together.

"I remember not feeling star struck but thinking in my head, 'There's my soon-to-be new boss,'" Kelleher said. "I knew I had to make the most of the opportunity and do something to impress the big boss man."

Fighting in front of the UFC president had been Kelleher's goal when he first decided to become a professional fighter in 2010. He moved to Ithaca where he was trained by college wrestlers, a black belt jiu jitsu coach, and a Muay Thai coach that taught Kelleher to be a more aggressive stand-up fighter.

With no friends or family in the area, and little income, Kelleher lived in the gym. He slept on a blowup air mattress in the back and says he would shower in a shower stall where janitorial supplies were kept. His only transportation was a mountain bike.

"It was hard at times," Kelleher said, "but I always had a gut feeling that this is what I was meant to do."

Kelleher, who describes himself as a smart fighter who's always willing to go for the flashy finish, made his professional debut in March 2011, losing by submission. The following month he earned his first victory, delivering a knockout punch just 23 seconds in for the first of four straight wins. That led to his Bellator debut, which he lost to by decision.

For financial reasons, Kelleher was forced to return home to Selden. He started working full-time but continued to train, stay in shape, and agree to fights on short notice. Kelleher trains at Maxum Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Bohemia.

While working as a technician at a chemical company of late, he has reeled off five straight wins, including some of the biggest victories of his career. The streak began when he beat undefeated Mark Cherico by submission on a guillotine choke 37 seconds in at the Pittsburgh Challenge Series in November of 2014. In September, he won by decision over unbeaten Julio Arce to win the 135-pound Ring of Combat title. Then came the win last Friday in front of White.

"I look at each fight as my ticket out to freedom and doing what I love," Kelleher said. "Whenever I'm home watching the UFC fights, I'm thinking, 'Man, I can beat that guy.' I don't just believe I belong there, I believe I can be a champion. I just need my chance."

That's why, after his win last Friday, Kelleher ran out of the cage, went over to White, and asked him for that chance.

"He looked shocked, but he also looked impressed," Kelleher said with a smile. "He told me congrats and wished me continued success. I'm pretty sure he circled my name on the list and has his eye on me."

#mmahour Dana whites show looking for a fight spectacular ko you have to play this clip @NewYorkRic @arielhelwani pic.twitter.com/FVoteFqP6m

— Brian Kelleher (@BoomBrian) November 23, 2015