Mark Hulme sets sights on UFC title after EFC 102 victory

Hulme returned to the hexagon for the first time in two years as he went on to dethrone Ziko Makengele in Johannesburg last week.

It was the DRC fighter’s first time defending his title, but it was over in the first round after Hulme forced him into submission less than three minutes into the bout.

Now, the continental champion is eager to join the big boys in the international arena.

"My main training partner Dricus du Plessis is fighting for a UFC title soon, Cameron Saaiman, I believe, is going to enter the Top 10 rankings within his next fight, maybe two," said Hulme.

"And I firmly believe I should be in the UFC, not because of anything but the skill, determination, [and] all the years of sacrifice. I want to fight the best fighters in the world.

"And taking out a local champion here in Africa was a blessing, and it's an honour for me to carry that belt but, at the end of the day, I want to say, I'm the best welterweight in the world – and I can only do that once I smash whoever is carrying that title in the UFC."

Hulme, meanwhile, is still taking the experience of being crowned champion but will cherish the milestone for many years to come.

"It was something out of a movie. Training has paid off, the mental work that I've been doing paid off on the night, and I can't explain to you [how it feels]," he reflected.

"It's something that I'm assuming only a champion can feel on the night when he wins, and I couldn't be happier – it was a good performance, I was in the perfect flow state, and it's truly something I'll carry with me going forward into my next bout."