LAS VEGAS – Nick Newell showed nothing but class after having his UFC dream temporarily washed away with a loss at Dana White’s Contender Series 14.

After years of trying to get called up to the big show, Newell (14-2) finally got an opportunity to prove his worth Tuesday and earn a UFC contract. But it didn’t go his way, and he was bloodied up and beaten in a unanimous-decision loss to lightweight Alex Munoz (5-0) in their UFC Fight Pass-streamed headliner at The Ultimate Fighter Gym in Las Vegas.

Despite the sting of defeat, Newell spoke with the media after the fight and opened up about the tough setback, and the congenital amputee – who was born with just one hand but posted a 14-1 record before his unofficial UFC audition – showed nothing but class and maturity.

“Physically, I’m fine,” Newell told reporters, including MMAjunkie, after his loss. “Emotionally it hurts, but I’ve lost before, and it made me better. There’s lessons to be learned from this, and I’m just going to keep moving forward. … Right now it looks like I’m going to have to go back to the drawing board and just keep working toward the dream.”

Newell said he was “a little disappointed” with his performance against Munoz. He put in solid work on the feet when the opportunities came along, but he got only a few of them. Munoz used superior wrestling to score takedowns at will and managed to neutralize Newell from on top and avoid submission attempts.

“He was the better man,” Newell said. “I don’t make excuses. It’s a fight, and it wasn’t my day. It was his day, and he deserves it. I worked 17 years for this. A lot of people take breaks and are doing other things all week, partying and stuff like that. I’m always focused, always training, and this is a lifestyle choice for me. I’m just going to get better from here.

“I am who I am because I’m never content. Nothing’s ever good enough for me. I’m a guy who lost his first 17 wrestling matches and went on to be all-state, went on to win a world title in MMA. (I was)14-1, and now I’m 14-2. It sucks, but this is the game we play. There are winners, and there are losers. Today wasn’t my day.”

As far as a potential UFC contract, “Notorious” made it clear he’s not ready to call it quits. Newell said he’s done his best to push through every setback life has thrown his way, and he won’t stop now.

After the bout, Newell said he had a brief conversation with UFC President Dana White. The Munoz bout didn’t go his way, but Newell hopes it doesn’t spell the end of his chance of eventually joining the UFC roster.

“He told me, ‘Good job,'” Newell said. “I just want to fight in the UFC, but nothing is given. Everything is earned. I’ve taken the hard route my whole life, and I’m used to it. I don’t want anything given to me. I want everything I’ve earned. All I asked for was a chance. I got my chance, and I didn’t make the most of it.

“I have it. I know I have it, and I’ve just got to show it. I’ve got to sit back, and I’ve got to watch and I’ve got to learn. … I’m better than what I showed, and I just have to work and get better and improve.”

For complete coverage of Dana White’s Contender Series 14, check out the UFC Events section of the site.