It’s taken a few years, but Grudge Training Center fighter Justin Salas is finally getting his shot in the big show.

Currently riding a five-fight winning streak, including a victory over UFC welterweight Jake Ellenberger’s brother Joe, Salas believes the time it’s taken to get to the Octagon plays in his favor. He’s honed his craft with fighters like Shane Carwin, Nate Marquardt, Brendan Schaub, Duane Ludwig, and numerous others at Grudge, and knows he’s got what it takes to last in the shark infested waters of the UFC.

Still, the excitement of “the call” still got to him.

“I just started pacing around my gym… it’s something I’ve been waiting for my whole life,” said Salas.

Now, he’s just got to step into the Octagon at Wednesday’s UFC on Fuel TV 1 and back it all up when he faces Anton Kuivanen.

Check out Conner Cordova’s deeper look at Justin Salas and his training at Grudge…