If you get a second chance in life, you have to make the most of the opportunity. According to UFC president Dana White, that's exactly what UFC welterweight Jake Ellenberger did on Saturday at UFC 201.

Ellenberger, 31, went into Saturday's fight with Matt Brown not merely as the betting underdog, but having lost five of his last six fights. The UFC never stated Ellenberger's job was on the line, but as it turned out, it may have been.

Speaking to FS1 after UFC 201, White revealed the UFC briefly parted ways with Ellenberger after his last loss to Tarec Saffiedine in January.

"I didn't know what to expect from him," White said. "I said in the standup with [UFC commentator Joe] Rogan before the fights started, if he comes out and does what he's capable of doing, then this is going to be a very fun fight.

"With the UFC, we had cut him," White added. "He flew out to Las Vegas and he met with me and said, 'Don't cut me, please.' He said, 'Give me one more shot. I promise I will come out and deliver.'"

Brown was ranked ninth in the division with Ellenberger not even in the top 15. While it's unclear how the outcome will precisely affect their rankings, the win gives "The Juggernaut" his first victory since February 2015. It brings his professional record to 31-11.

"We put him against Matt Brown and he came out and delivered," White said.