UFC newcomer Jimmy Flick has a lot of reasons to celebrate his debut win from Saturday night.
Not only did he pull off an improbable first-round submission thanks to a flying triangle choke but he also took home a $50,000 Performance of the Night award that will definitely come in handy around the holidays.
According to Flick, who earned his UFC contract after winning on Dana White’s Contender Series, he actually still works full-time as a CNC saw operator in his home state of Oklahoma, but he wants to use his bonus to reduce his hours so he can spend more time focused on training heading into the new year.
“With Christmas around the corner, and I still work a full-time job, it will really help me go back to part time and then eventually, hopefully be able to quit working in 2021,” Flick said when speaking to reporters at the UFC Vegas 17 post-fight press conference.
“A lot of people don’t understand, the UFC does not come with a 401k and benefits, which my job does. I’m trying to keep the ball rolling from fighting to working and training as hard as I can to take care of my family.”
Flick hopes to parlay at least part of that bonus into helping his wife open her own business as well but he says his current employers completely support his fight career including the time off he takes to compete.
As far as the fight goes, Flick revealed that the flying triangle choke that he used to finish Cody Durden is actually a move he not only practices but he’s actually pulled off in a previous fight during his amateur career.
“I’m a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt. I love giving my leg and usually throwing a flying triangle,” Flick said. “As an amateur, I threw up a head kick before and got the flying triangle. It just comes natural to me.
“I’m a finisher. That’s what I like to do. It doesn’t matter if I’m jumping for submissions or on top looking for submissions, I’m looking for the finish at all times.”
After securing four wins in 2020 including the victory in his UFC debut, Flick hopes to stay just as busy next year with a goal to begin his climb up the flyweight ranks.
“I want to fight at least three to four times next year,” Flick said. “I want a top 15 opponent if possible. If not, I’ll take whoever the UFC gives me but I’m chasing these top 15 opponents.
“The flyweight division is booming right now. I’m 4-0 this year at flyweight with all finishes. I’m looking to keep the ball rolling in 2021.”