DWCS 58 winner Hyder Amil hopes to face Arnold Allen someday as 'payback' for Gilbert Melendez
LAS VEGAS – Hyder Amil seeks the opportunity to avenge Gilbert Melendez’s loss to Arnold Allen.
Amil (8-0) earned a UFC contract Tuesday at Dana White’s Contender Series 58 when he defeated Emrah Sonmez (14-5) by unanimous decision.
An El Nino Training Center fighter, Amil knows he still has ways to go, but hopes to climb the ranks someday and face top featherweight contender Allen, who’s the last man to defeat his mentor Melendez.
“Give me one or two fights, and then I want Arnold Allen,” Amil told MMA Junkie and other reporters. “I want payback.”
Amil remained unbeaten, but was disappointed not to get the finish.
“I’m going to finish the next guy, OK?” Amil said. “And my next fight, I’m really going to put on a show and that’s not happening again.”
Amil admits he was nervous that his performance wasn’t enough to earn him a contract, but was grateful that White recognized his talent.
“If you’ve seen my other fights, I put on a show every fight,” Amil said. “I usually finish people and stuff like that, so going forward, expect more from me, expect me to start putting on some shows and finishing people.”
For more on the card, check out MMA Junkie’s event hub for Dana White’s Contender Series 58.