The Shellharbour Central Hotel crowd erupted in rapturous applause, cheers and shouting when Windang product Alexander Volkanovksi won the biggest title fight of his life.
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Volkanovksi stepped into the Octagon to challenge Max Holloway for the featherweight belt at UFC 245 on Sunday (Australian time).
Hundreds of Volkanovksi's family, friends and locals packed out the main function room, bistro and lounges of the Central Hotel to nervously see if the 31-year-old could create history.
Volkanovski's number one supporter father Tony, was front row to watch his boy claim victory.
"What a win," he said. "I am so proud of him.
"He promised me on Tuesday that he would bring home that belt and he did that. I'm so happy and a very proud father.
"I have a champion."
There were hugs and kisses as Volkanovski's friends and family celebrated the win.
During the fight, every hit and kick Volkanovski landed against his opponent made the crowd rise from their chairs, applaud, cheer and throw their fists in the air.
People yelled out, "come on Alex" and "go Alex".
Many gathered hours before the big fight to take up the prime positions in front of the function room's main screen.
They excitedly waited for Volkanovski's moment to shine chatting and drinking as they watched the preliminary matches.
Mr Volkanovski told the Mercury before the match that he was "nervous but confident" his son would win.
"He asked me if I wanted to go to Las Vegas but I thought I should watch it at home," he said. "I'm too nervous now, imagine what I'd be like over there.
"If he wins, I promised him I would be there in person to watch him defend the title.
"He is my boy, I have got to support him in whatever he is doing."
Mr Volkanovksi said he spoke to his son on Tuesday.
"He is confident and fit," he said. "He feels good for the fight."
Mr Volkanovksi said a "good crowd" turned out to support his son, not only at the Central Hotel but also at other venues around the city.
"It seems like the whole city has come out to support him," he said.
Volkanovski's sister Madalene Seppala gave a confident "yes" when asked whether her brother would take home the belt.
"There is a nice crowd at the hotel," she said. "There are many supportive friends and cousins here."
Brothers Jason and Nathan Rosentreter are locals and friends of the Volkanovski's sister and father.
"We wanted to come to support Alex," Jason said.
"We have watched his career from when he was a Windang footballer."
Nathan Rosentreter is a "UFC fanatic" and said he loved watching fights because it was a "brutal, contact sport that could only have one winner".
The Shellharbour former footy player boasts a UFC career record of 7-0 and a victory against the legend fighter will catapult him "into a new stratosphere", commentators say.
Under the guidance of trainer Joe Lopez, Volkanovski trained for the fight by splitting his time between Freestyle Fighting Gym in Windang, Tiger Muay Thai, Thailand and most recently at City Kickboxing Auckland, New Zealand.
Volkanovski's high school sweetheart, now wife, left for Las Vegas on Wednesday to watch her husband. The couple have two children together.
His trainer, coach, 20-year-old Colby Thicknesse and close friends also were in the arena to watch him.
Thcknesse trains with the now featherweight champion every single morning in the modest fight gym at Windang.
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