<text>  UFC lightweight Ross Pearson has admitted that he put a lot of personal pressure on himself to claim a knockout win over Sam Stout at UFC 185 on Saturday. The British fighter, who met Stout at the preliminary rounds in Dallas, needed a win to halt a run of one win, two losses and a no contest from his four previous fights - and to avoid questioning his future in the sport. It was all personal to me, he said backstage at UFC 185. Live by the sword, die by the sword situation. I went out there and I put a lot of pressure on myself to win. Ross Pearson celebrates after a second frame knockout over Sam Stout at UFC 185 in Dallas . The British fighter connects with a strong right hand to end a recent inconsistent run in the Octagon . The referee moves in to stop the fights as Pearson lays into the prone Canadian on the canvas . Pearson admitted putting a lot of personal pressure on himself to win the fight . Pearson agreed that, following his recent results, defeat by Stout would have led to him making some massive decisions. Like, where was I going in my career in the UFC, said the 30-year-old, who emerged by winning the lightweight tournament on The Ultimate Fighter 9. I dont think the UFC thinks Im going to be out the door any time soon, because Im winning fights, but it was personally, what am I going to do in this division? The 30-year-old also picked up a Performance of the Night bonus of 50,000 34,000 Stout aims a kick at Pearson but could not keep the Brit at bay before being knocked out in Dallas . The pair face each other at the weigh-in before Pearson admitted defeat would have raised questions Am I going to be a gatekeeper, or am I going to be a guy thats going to push to the top of the world? Pearson came through his personal test by out striking Stout before knocking out the Canadian with a booming left hand in the second frame, earning the Brit a 50,000 34,000 Performance of the Night bonus. Next up, Pearson has set his sights on 1,2 and 3 or the top fighters in the 155-pound division. 