NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — Solomon Renfro brought the boom out of the backfield when playing at Canisius High School, helping the Crusaders win the 2014 Catholic New York State championship.

While many of his friends and teammates were preparing to continue their football careers at the Division I or II college level, Renfro decided to take a different path.

"I remember sitting at the lunch table with my friends," Renfro said. "We're all sitting there and I'm like 'You know what, guys? I don't want to play football anymore. I just want to fight,' and they're looking at me like I'm crazy. And I was like 'No, really. I just want to fight.' " And they're like 'Dude, stop joking. You're going to get beat up by Conor McGregor.' That's literally what they said to me. But I'm like 'Dude, I'm going to smoke Conor McGregor,' and now I'm here."

Renfro's MMA career began immediately in the spring of 2015 as his senior year at Canisius was still winding down.

"I remember I didn't go to my prom because it was a week before my fight," Renfro said. "So I'm like I'm not going to prom because I got to cut weight. My friends were like 'man, are you seriously not going?' And I'm like 'Dude, yes. I'm going to be the champion and I'm not playing.' So I gave up everything for this."

This began as a successful amateur career before turning professional about five years ago. 

Renfro's pro record is currently 8-2.That latest loss came on Dana White's Contender Series, losing by split decision. Had things gone the other way in Renfro's favor, he would have been headed to the UFC.

While disappointed, Renfro is using the experience to further fuel his fire to reach that top level of MMA.

"It can and it will be done," Renfro said. "If I can get there, then I can get to really where I want to get to. I didn't come this far just to come this far. So after this one February 25, we're going to officially be in the show. And not just be in the show, we're going to be the show."

First, the show comes home Friday night, with Renfro part of the co-main event at an LFA card at Seneca Niagara Event Center in Niagara Falls, taking on Adam Fugitt (7-2) in a welterweight bout.

With a win, Renfro firmly believes that missed opportunity in the fall will be avenged and he'll punch his ticket to the UFC.

"It's almost like it was meant to be," Renfro said. "I was really, really upset with the Contender Series loss because I felt like it was a fight that I won and it was a big opportunity that I felt kind of slipped out of my hands, but for that to happen and for me to come have to fight in Buffalo, it's almost like in a way everything happened for a reason. I wanted to fight in Buffalo one more time before I hit the UFC anyway, but I just didn't think it would happen because there really wasn't an opportunity for me to come back and fight. Now Legacy Fighter Promotions is here and so the king is here."

Click here​ for more information on the event Friday night.