Hey, look, Nick Newell at the UFC Performance Institute. Good sign?

One-handed lightweight Nick Newell has been banging the drum for his UFC opportunity ever since he returned to fighting last month.

Is this the first step?

#vivalasvegas

A post shared by Nick Newell (@notoriousnewell) on Apr 23, 2018 at 6:19pm PDT

Yes, that’s a photo Newell posted tonight on Instagram of himself at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas.

via GIPHY

Newell, 32, a congenital amputee, returned to competition last month after two-and-a-half years away and defeated Sonny Luque via first-round submission at LFA 35 to move his record to 14-1. Newell had a blunt message after the dominant performance.

“I’m one of the best fighters in the world, and I belong in the UFC,” Newell said. “That’s it. That’s final. I gave you 14 reasons why I belong in the UFC. I’m one of the best fighters in the world, and I’ve proved it 14 times.”

Since then, the number of supporters who want to see Newell fight in the UFC seemingly has swelled to the point that the promotion can’t ignore him. Even current UFC standout Justin Gaethje, the only man to defeat Newell in WSOF back in 2014, has vouched for him.

We hope this means good news is coming soon. Even if it’s not a UFC contract and just a spot on the upcoming second season of Dana White’s Contender Series, all we’re asking for is a chance.

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