"I've always believed that I belong to the UFC. I've always had confidence in myself and I proved it today that I have what it takes to be here," said the 26-year-old fighter, who's now improved his win-loss record to 28-6 with 15 wins secured by KO or TKO.

"I actually went for the stoppage since the start of the fight. I definitely wanted to put him in sleep directly, although it wasn't the case," Rongzhu said in his post-fight news conference.

"I feel satisfied with my performance and I've seen the progress I made during my preparations," said Rongzhu, who's been staying in Auckland, New Zealand, and training in the City KickBoxing club for the majority of the past two years.

Life away from home and the daily grind perfecting his craft at CKB, one of the world's renowned MMA talent cradles, were tough for Rongzhu in the beginning, given the language barrier and culture difference.

The resilient fighter, raised under impoverished background in rural areas in Aba, has pulled it off, supported by his girlfriend, who's been his translator, manager and nutritionist, the coaching team at the Auckland club and the founder of his mother gym, Enbo Fight Club, in Sichuan.

"Tomorrow will be my girlfriend's birthday. I want to give my win today as a birthday gift for her. Thank you for having supported me behind the scenes for so many years," Rongzhu expressed his gratitude to his girlfriend during his Octagon interview after the fight on Thursday.