SASKATOON – A revealing post-fight video caused many to wonder about Sam Stout’s future following a second-round knockout loss to Ross Pearson at UFC 185 in March.

The UFC lightweight veteran said he’s not going anywhere.

The video, dubbed “The Thrill and Agony,” showed Stout emotional as he left the octagon following his second consecutive knockout loss. The Canadian took an 11-month layoff following an April 2014 defeat to K.J. Noons and hoped to get back on track against Pearson.

Stout had previously never been stopped by strikes, and after being put down in back-to-back bouts, the Canadian visibly contemplated what he’d done wrong and what it meant for his future.

“I was the guy you couldn’t put down for ten, f-cking 12 years of my career right?” Stout said in the video. “That was like, I’ll take this break and come back refreshed and stuff. That didn’t work. So, what the f-ck do I do now?”

Stout (20-11-1 MMA, 9-10 UFC) didn’t give up his ambitions to compete. He accepted another fight, which takes place Sunday at UFC Fight Night 74. He meets Frankie Perez (9-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) on the FOX Sports 1-televised preliminary card prior to the main card on the same channel at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

After five months of reflection, Stout addressed the video, which stirred discussion in the MMA community. The 31-year-old said he never truly considered hanging up his gloves, but rather was upset the UFC filmed him at an emotional and perhaps unfair time.

“I saw the video and I came back and I’m devastated; it was right after a loss and it sucked,” Stout told MMAjunkie. “It was the second time I’ve been knocked out in a row and it was definitely a tough thing. That video was taken seconds after the fight. … That’s a moment I think should have been kept private and I don’t like that they put it up. People want to see that stuff, I guess. But it is what it is.”

Instead of ignoring the reality of what led to the first and second knockout losses of his career, Stout confronted the situation. He’s been an active competitor since 2003 and part of the UFC roster since March 2006 and learned that he needed to adjust tactics.

“I’ve had some time to wrap my brain around it a little more and its not like I was out cold; I got clipped and I watched the fight after and I got caught right on the button,” Stout said. “I don’t think I have a glass jaw now or anything like that. The last two fights I just got caught with some really heavy punches. It just opened my eyes to the fact that I can’t go out and be as reckless anymore. I’ve got to move my head more and take less punishment. I’ve got to move my feet more. I can’t go out there and rely on my chin the way I used to when I was a kid. I don’t think it’s going to be a factor in that fight.”

Stout realizes Sunday’s bout with Perez is among the most important of his career. A three-fight skid, especially in the loaded UFC lightweight division, could be a cause for concern over job security.

“Hands of Stone” competes in his 20th UFC bout at UFC Fight Night 74. He wants that to be a fond memory rather than the potential end of a near decade-long run with the promotion.

“When you first get into the sport you think it’s never going to end; you don’t think about the long-term stuff,” Stout said. “It’s once you’ve been here for a long time that you start to look at the bigger picture. I don’t remember thinking I’m going to be doing this – it never really crossed my mind. I didn’t really realize it was my 20th fight coming up. It’s a crazy thing to hit the 20-fight mark in this sport. It’s a landmark I’m really proud of.”

Stout said he’s confident he’ll earn his 10th UFC victory at the expense of Perez. With a lightweight record 988 significant strike landed in his career and the most “Fight of the Night” bonuses in divisional history, Stout said he’s ready to add to his resume, not see it cut off.

“I don’t want to start looking at my career like it’s over and start counting stuff like that,” Stout said. “I’m still going and hopefully I’ll get another ‘Fight of the Night’ on this one. I don’t want to start looking back on my career because that means it’s over. I want to keep moving forward.

“I thought this was a good fight. It’s a guy who’s got a lot less experience who is coming off a loss as well. It’s a good fight for me to get my momentum back and get back on the winning track.”

For more on UFC Fight Night 74, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.