The MMA lightweight champion pulled Dana White aside to pitch himself to the UFC boss, hoping that he would be offered an impromptu opportunity.

This Saturday, the premier MMA promotion returns to Canada for UFC Edmonton, headlined by a welterweight clash between Joaquin Buckley and Mike Malott.

The card is full of the elite talent from the region, with Jasmine Jasudavicius hoping to potentially earn a title shot in the co-main event in a clash against Erin Blanchfield.

However, someone who isn’t on the card but has caught Dana White‘s attention, is MMA lightweight champion, Michael Dufort, who pulled the UFC boss aside for an impromptu pitch.

You’re Dana White for the day. Who’s the first fighter you sign to the UFC? 👀

Dana White asks Michael Dufort why he wasn’t on Contender Series as the champion pitched himself

This past Tuesday, the 10th season of Dana White’s Contender Series came to an end after what was another hugely successful couple of months for the spin-off show. During those months, White and his team tied the record for handing out the most amount of contracts they’ve ever handed out in a single season, with 46.

Someone who did unfortunately miss out on being able to compete in a live job interview in front of the UFC boss was Cage Titans and Samurai MMA champion, Michael Dufort. The 32-year-old is 18-6 in professional MMA and he is currently on an impressive five-fight win streak. During his career, he has picked up wins over former UFC fighters, Joe Giannetti, Mads Burnell and Luis Pena, showcasing that he is likely good enough to fight in the premier promotion.

In his last fight, Dufort scored a unique ‘pretzel’ submission, which left fans calling for him to be signed to the UFC.

Despite missing out on an opportunity on DWCS, Dufort took the chance to pitch himself to White when he bumped into him at the UFC Edmonton ceremonial weigh-ins this past Friday, while attending the event as a fan. “264 days of asking Dana White to sign me to the UFC,” Dufort said as he shook White’s hand.

“He’s the number one in Canada, the best pound-for-pound fighter,” his associate told White as he attempted to big up his friend.

“Okay, what weight are you?” White asked as he attempted to look interested. “155lbs, I’d be ready for it,” Dufort answered.

“Do you know Sean (Shelby) and Mick (Maynard)? Yeah? Are you talking to them? How the f— were you not on the Contender Series?” White continued to question. “I don’t know, I tried, I’m 18-6, I’ve won my last five fights, I’m 32,” Dufort continued. “Okay, I’ll talk to the boys about it,” White claimed.

Historically, the UFC boss has been candid about signing fighters over 30 years old and fighters of that age and over have rarely featured on DWCS.

This isn’t the first time a fighter has taken his chance to get White to sign him during an impromptu moment. White invited an undefeated fighter up to the stage at the UFC 308 press conference after he hijacked it by asking for a UFC contract.

Although Dorobshokh Nabotov wasn’t offered a UFC contract, White gave him an opportunity on ‘The Korean Zombies’ promotion, where he subsequently lost a unanimous decision and wasn’t signed.