BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Nick Newell was less than one complete answer into a post-fight interview when he had to cease speaking. For 19 seconds, there was silence as he put a vise on his emotion to stop himself from breaking down. Of course he was able to choke off the tears before they came. Newell can choke most anything into submission: odds, critics, opponents, and when necessary, feelings.
Newell has won before. Saturday night was just another one for the ledger, yet it was so much more. Ten years into a career with many ups, a couple downs, and only a few precious opportunities to fight in a big show, Newell was faced with a sink-or-swim proposition.