Quang Le recounts surprise upgrade from Dana White's Contender Series to UFC on ESPN 61 debut

LAS VEGAS – Quang Le was preparing to deliver the performance of his life and earn a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series. Then he got the news he could skip that step.

In need of a replacement opponent to face Chris Gutierrez (20-6-2 MMA, 8-3-1 UFC) on Saturday at UFC on ESPN 61 at the UFC Apex (ESPN, ESPN+), the UFC matchmakers called Le (8-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) and presented him the opportunity to move straight into the promotion in a bantamweight bout.

The undefeated Vietnamese athlete didn’t hesitate to accept.

“I couldn’t believe when they called right away,” Le told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “I turned all my medicals in (for DWCS). An hour later, they called. I was like, ‘Oh wow, let’s take it. Whoever, wherever – I don’t care. I’m ready.’ I was so excited.”

Because he agreed to the short-notice slot, Le said he was signed to a four-fight UFC contract. That means he won’t have to compete on Dana White’s Contender Series and can focus on excelling on the main roster. It will be no easy introduction with Gutierrez, who holds a win over UFC Hall of Famer Frankie Edgar.

Le, 32, is confident he can maximize this moment, however, and predicted he will put Gutierrez away early.

“I like to strike,” Le said. “I like to stand up more. I have the power to get you out of there in the first round. My last two fights were a first-round knockout, and I plan to knock him out in the first round this Saturday night.”

To hear more from Le, check out his complete UFC on ESPN 61 media day interview above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 61.