The Wait Is Over for Tyson Nam

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Thirteen years is a long time to wait to get an opportunity to compete inside the Ultimate Fighting Championship. However, 13 years and 208 days into his mixed martial arts career, Tyson Nam’s long wait will come to an end as the veteran will finally receive his chance to fight in the Octagon at UFC Fight Night 159 on Sept. 21 in Mexico City.

After 13 years, it would be understandable if Nam had mentally moved on from his long-held dream of competing in the UFC. In some ways, the 35-year-old did. Especially since he alleges “contract disputes,” in 2012 and 2017, denied him of the opportunity. However, he kept hope alive, and it’s why he is now overcome with relief knowing he will make that walk to the Octagon in just a few days.

“I knocked out Eduardo Dantas [former Bellator bantamweight champion] in 2012. Due to contract disputes [going to the UFC] didn’t happen. I knocked out Ali Bagautinov, the former No. 1 UFC [flyweight] contender. Due to contract disputes [going to the UFC] did not happen. So, the UFC was always a huge driving factor for me, but at the same time I wasn’t going to hold my breath anymore. Because not only once, but twice I’ve been denied my chance. When I got that call, it’s kind of; just this huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. That I get to finally scratch off my biggest goal.”

In this exclusive video interview with Sherdog, Nam went into greater depth on the contractual strings that held up previous jumps to the UFC and then broke down his upcoming matchup with Sergio Pettis.