CFFC NextGen champ Nick Gebhard beaming with confidence ahead of pro debut: 'I know that I have it in me to be one of the best'

"I always told everybody I was going to be a champion, and I don't think anybody really believed it."

Nick Gebhard didn't exactly get off to a roaring start in his MMA career. Standing at just 1-3 in his first four amateur outings, it would have been quite easy to decide that maybe he was chasing a dream that simply wasn't meant to be.

Fortunately for Gebhard, he's not the kind to give up on something he wants – and as the old saying goes, it's not how you start, but rather how you finish. 

"I dreamed of winning that championship since I was a kid," Gebhard said. "You know, I always bought the fake WWE belts and ran around the house. I always told everybody I was going to be a champion, and I don't think anybody really believed it, so I just kept working."

The commitment paid off, and the New Jersey native was able to turn things around from there, rattling off four consecutive wins that culminated with Gebhard claiming the CFFC NextGen flyweight title this past September.

"That was the best, man," Gebhard said. "When it finally came true, I was like, 'I knew it,' so it was a great moment, man. Best moment of my life."

With that title win to his name, Gebhard decided it was time to make the jump to the professional ranks. He'll do so at Friday's CFFC 129, where he takes on Mardin Velasquez (0-1) in a matchup that streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS from Philadelphia's 2300 Arena.

Gebhard said he's excited for the move and is looking forward to the longer rounds associated with professional bouts, as well as the vastly increased striking options available to him with legalized elbows and knees to the head.

"I can't wait to use the knees and elbows, and I like how I have so much time in the cage now," Gebhard said. "If it goes all the distance, that's 15 minutes. It's great experience. 

"You know, I like being in the cage, and I feel like we're not in there enough as fighters. You don't even get quite used to being in there, you know? So I want to be in there as much as I can."

Gebhard will benefit from what's expected to be a vocal contingent of supporters in the crowd. He also believes he'll be well-served by the experience gained in his challenging amateur schedule. By consistently taking the toughest fights available to him, Gebhard believes he's well-prepared for the challenges he'll face now as a professional.

"I figured those were the best guys that I fought, so every guy after, you know, they weren't as tough as those guys," Gebhard said. "So, yeah, I think I was kind of blessed to have the toughest road, and now here we are. You know, I'm prepared for these tough fights. 

"You don't want to go 1-3, but yeah, just if it happens, it happens," Gebhard said. "Gotta keep moving. I didn't want to quit. I never quit at anything. I could have been one of those fighters that maybe went like 1-15 if I just kept losing because I have a hard head. I don't think I would have quit. I'd keep going until I win, prove some dominance."

Gebhard's story is one of true persistence, battling through adversity early on to eventually claim some well-deserved glory. With those hard lessons behind, the 28-year-old is ready to kick off his pro run in memorable fashion – and he believes the ceiling is quite high.

"I visualize my fights a thousand times before I go out there, and it's always a first-round TKO for this guy or a first round submission," Gebhard said. "It's going to be quick, violent, but I think I'm going to get the knockout.

"I know that I have it in me to be one of the best, so I just never quit and kept working hard, and yeah, here we are."