Welterweight Prospect and GSP Training Partner Brandon Thatch Signs UFC Deal, Awaits First Fight

Welterweight prospect Brandon Thatch has signed a four-fight contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Like most fighters, the UFC has long been Thatch’s goal.

“I want to be considered one of those elite fighters. I want to strap on the UFC gloves and be considered one of the best in the world,” he told MMAWeekly.com before his last fight, which took place at RFA 7 in March.

“I don’t really consider myself an MMA fighter until I strap on those UFC gloves. One I strap up those UFC gloves, I’ll feel like I’ve made it.”

He’s now about to strap on those UFC gloves after an impressive first-round submission victory over Roufusport fighter Mike “Biggie” Rhodes at RFA 7 bumped his overall reord to 9-1 and put his current winning streak at eight consecutive fights.

That victory, coupled with the backing of key training partner UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre, helped earn Thatch the shot he has been longing for.

“I believe Brandon Thatch could be in the UFC right now,” said Gt-Pierre before Thatch’s win at RFA 7. “And I’m pretty sure he’s going to prove it to everyone in his fight (with Rhodes).”

Thatch told MMAWeekly.com on Saturday night that he doesn’t yet have a date or opponent for his first UFC bout, but told the crowd at Kickdown MMA – a local fight event in Denver – that he is continuing to train, staying at the ready for when the UFC calls on him to make his promotional debut.

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