Rising Belfast MMA star Paddy McCorry says he "cried like a wee child" in the aftermath of his stunning Cage Warriors win in Dublin at the weekend.
McCorry lit up the 3Arena by stopping Angus Hewett in the first round to send out an ominous statement of intent in the middleweight division.
It was the 25-year-old's second bout in Cage Warriors, with his highlight reel flying knee finish one of the standout moments of the night.
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McCorry hopes to return this summer when Cage Warriors heads to Rome. Before that he plans to enjoy some down time after what was an emotionally charged night in Dublin.
The middleweight was reduced to tears as he sat on the cage following his win. The tears kept flowing as he made his way back to the changing rooms.
"There were a few tears. There are a lot of emotions in the aftermath of a fight," he told Belfast Live.
"It is a lot of relief. I just climbed on top of the cage and saw my mummy and my wee brother and I just broke down. It was wild.
"I was crying like a wee child. Just a lot of emotions.
"My mummy and wee brother were there and they are my motivation. They are a big reason why I do this.
"When I saw them that's when I broke down. I saw the smile on their faces and that's when I started crying.
"You put so much into the fight, and if it doesn't pay off then it would be a nightmare. So when it does come off, and it goes the way you envisioned, it's just pure relief.
"If I lose then you slip off the radar pretty quickly. You are fighting for your life in Cage Warriors.
"We are not making much money, and we are all fighting for our lives to reach the next level where you can make some decent money. So you fight as if it's your last fight.
"There is a lot riding on every fight in Cage Warriors. That's how I feel, anyway, that every fight is a must-win."
Reflecting on the night, McCorry added: "It was a special night. I am very happy with how it all went.
"I feel I have put people on notice in my division in Cage Warriors. And our gym put out a good showing with the fights we were involved in.
"It was the perfect night. It was meant to be for me.
"My family and friends were all there, and it just felt all right from the walkout. It was a very special night."
McCorry admits it has taken him a few days to wind down from Saturday's adrenalin-fuelled performance at the 3Arena.
"I have been waking up at 5am to go to the toilet, and then I can't get back to sleep. It is wild," he joked.
"I have just been on cloud nine ever since the fight. And you just want more.
"I am hoping to get out in July on the Rome card, and we are back to Dublin in November. So I hope to get on those two cards.
"I want to make more statements and finish people. Long-term I want to be in the UFC, like many fighters do.
"But I am in Cage Warriors now to knock people out and make statements. This is a platform for me to perform and get more exposure.
"I'm not in a rush to reach the UFC., but I am in no doubt I will get there with the team that I have."
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