Why Aussie mechanic-turned-MMA fighter got a rare standing ovation from UFC boss Dana White despite being KNOCKED OUT in bout
- Dana White was full of admiration for a defeated Aussie fighter on Wednesday
- Shannon Ross was knocked out by Vinicius Salvador in emphatic fashion
- The mechanic, 33, fought on valiantly despite a horrendous opening round
- White gave Ross a standing ovation as he battled on in the gruelling contest
Australian mechanic Shannon Ross may have suffered a heavy knockout, but the aspiring mixed martial artist certainly won the admiration of UFC supremo Dana White.
Ross entered his bout with Vinicius Salvador the favourite, owing to the Gold Coast fighter’s superior experience compared to his Brazilian rival.
However, the 33-year-old was in for a big shock as he suffered two knockdowns in a blistering first round during Dana White’s Contender Series.
Australian mechanic Shannon Ross earned huge praise from UFC supremo Dana White
But instead of roll over and give up, Ross fought on valiantly and took the commentators by surprise as he was badly hurt after the first knockdown.
‘Vinicius Salvador coming in with this flying kick, right to the liver, I am amazed that Shannon Ross is still standing after that,’ commentator Laura Sanko said after the first round.
‘Then the hooks afterward to follow it up. For him (Ross) to be able to wrestle back up and continue in this fight is just incredible.
‘Then again Salvador connects with a perfectly placed right hook but man how tough is Ross!’
The 33-year-old fought on valiantly before being brutally knocked out on Wednesday
But Ross’ effort won huge praise from White, who gave him a standing ovation on Wednesday
The tide turned in the second round with Ross finding success with his precise attacks, until Salvador hit his target for a devastating third time, felling Ross before the referee jumped in to stop the contest.
But Ross’ brave effort won the praise of UFC president White, who gave the mechanic a standing ovation during the contest.
He then entered the octagon to congratulate both fighters.
‘We do not see that very often, Dana walking into the Octagon to congratulate the fighters,’ commentator Dan Hellie said.
Ross has made huge sacrifices to reach this stage, costing his family $20,000 after taking a fight in Abu Dhabi.
‘The costs of hotel quarantine, we were OK with that. Had already decided we were happy to wear that for my career,’ Ross said.
‘But learning the only flight home for three months were going to cost me $15,000? Yeah, that call started with ‘hey babe… aaah … I’ve just lost us a bit of cash.’
