SOURCE: nwsdy.li

September 23, 2016

UFC debut for Gillespie 'just the first step' https://t.co/Q6NjdTVhsJ via @Newsday

— armdrag.com (@wnywrestling) September 23, 2016

Motivation had never been an issue for Gregor Gillespie before.

After an All-American collegiate wrestling career at Edinboro, Gillespie eventually turned to MMA, training and fighting without losing his drive.

That is, until this year.

"After my last fight, I said I wasn't going to fight again until it was in the UFC," Gillespie said. "I didn't know how long that was going to take, but I just wasn't motivated to fight in the lower-level shows anymore."

Gillespie won his seventh straight fight in June. In August, the UFC came calling.

And, now, the motivation is back.

A re-energized Gillespie (7-0) will make his UFC debut Saturday at UFC Fight Night 95 in Brasilia, Brazil, against "The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil" Season 3 winner Glaico Franca (14-4, 1-1 UFC).