Roosevelt Roberts isn't taking this UFC chance for granted

Courtesy: Alex Weinraub // instagram.com/alexweinraub

"This is my last chance, so I got to do everything I got," said Roosevelt Roberts, reflecting on his 16 career fights.

"The Predator" knew his journey at the highest level of MMA wasn't over when the UFC released him in 2017.

Roberts (12-4) time away included a winning a welterweight title in regional promotion, Lights Out Xtreme Fighting, and a lightweight win in Eagle FC.

During Roberts' fight with Eagle, he was caught in an armbar that injured him, but Roberts had a bigger goal at stake during that fight.

Roberts said, "I just had to fight through it. I wasn't gonna tap out."

Cage fights weren't the first time Roberts found himself fighting.

"I've been fighting my whole life, not just physical fighting, but fighting to stay out of jail, fighting to make a better life, fighting for everything."

But with his new opportunity in the UFC, Roberts isn't interested in his past struggles. He says people know about that already and he's talked about it.

Rather, after participating in the Ultimate Fighter and taking a short notice UFC fight, he's focused on making the most of a second chance.

"I plan to take full advantage of my situation, make the most of this, cause this is probably my last chance at trying to do anything with this," Roberts said. "If I don't make it, if I get cut after this I'm done fighting."

During TUF, Roberts said he wanted to train at Kill Cliff FC, where his coach for the season, Michael Chandler, trains.

Everything about Kill Cliff was different according to Roberts.

"You know, the first time I went in there, I started questioning things, I was like 'Damn, this is fucking different.'"

Roberts thinks the intensity is what he needed at this stage in his career. Among many, Roberts credits former NCAA wrestling champion, Greg Jones, with the high pace mentality.

"If you ain't working hard, get off the mat," Roberts said.

Looking towards the future, Roberts isn't interested in taking another short notice fight. He made no excuses for his loss in November, but he said what people didn't see is him cutting 20 pounds in four days.

Roberts knows he has what it takes to win at the highest level

"Now that I'm back... I'm going to make sure I work on everything and be my better self. You know, be the 100 percent, not the 50 percent," Roberts said.