Less of a head-turner was South Lake’s Soa Palelei, who worked alongside McGregor in the film, capping off an increasingly successful year, which also included the signing of a four-fight UFC deal in the United States that was televised globally.
His UFC career is laced with accolades, including the AFC World Heavyweight Champion, the K-OZ World Heavyweight Champion, the IKBF Super Heavyweight Champion while also being a black belt in Brazilian ju-jitsu.
Palelei, who had a brief stint in the UFC in 2007 before getting back into it early this year, said he wanted his chance to be back in the UFC and would not let anything or anyone stand in his way.
‘I can honestly say I have a passion for it and the fact that it makes me push harder each training session and I go to levels I didn’t think I could achieve,’ he said.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW
‘It was the best feeling in the world securing the four-fight deal because I had been working for this for the past three years.
‘When I got the call from my management that it was secured you could not wipe the smile off my face and it was amazing to fight again.’