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Austin O’Connor Fueled By Online Chatter | UFC FIGHT PASS

There Have Been A Lot Of Words Said Already, But Austin O’Connor Explains That Opponent Camden Fontenot Is Fighting An Uphill Battle Trying To Rattle Him Online
By Walker Van Wey • Jun. 7, 2024

The only thing better than a tune-up match for Austin O’Connor is going toe-to-toe with a dangerous opponent who takes legitimate aim at the two-time NCAA Champion.

When news broke of O’Connor’s professional MMA debut against Camden Fontenot, the Fontenot team was quick to jump in the comment section and voice exactly what they thought of the National Champion turned mixed martial artist. The onslaught was enough to catch the eye of O’Connor and just enough to make him smirk.

“He’s posting, tagging UFC Fight Pass and Fury, saying that he’s going to put me to sleep and s***,” O’Connor laughed. “You don’t really get that with wrestling. It’s cool and I like to see it; it’s going to make the win a little more special.”

There are several factors at play as to why O’Connor is so enticed by a confident opponent. Most of the reasons involve the training room and the inside of the cage, but another reason lies over 1,000 miles away from the Fury FC cage.

“I’m from the Southside [of Chicago], there’s a lot of s*** talkers out there,” O’Connor again said with a laugh. “I handle it good; I don’t mind it at all. It helps motivate me when I’m in my training; all I’m thinking about is how this dude said he’s going to knock me out. I’m just going to train a little bit harder.”

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Having the reputation of one of the roughest places in the country to live up to and a solid crew behind him puts O’Connor in the most “fight ready” mindset he’s ever been in. It’s noticed far beyond just those immediately training with him, as even UFC legend Daniel Cormier notes O’Connor’s change in demeanor in the gym.

“You want guys that believe they can win; Austin’s opponent believes he can beat him,” Cormier said. “That’s why he accepted the fight and he’s going to fight him in that way.”

Fontenot’s friends and teammates piling on would rattle most debuting fighters, but O’Connor looks forward to this very aspect of MMA the most. Taking him out of his comfort zone and placing him behind enemy lines to fight for his life is something he did in NCAA wrestling better than almost anyone.

At the end of the day, there’s a cage separating him from the noise, locking him and his opponent inside until one gets their hand raised. No amount of online chatter will intimidate the Tar Heel, but if he ever wanted to unleash a pack of dogs of his own, O’Connor is confident he’s got the right crew.

“The more s*** he talks, all my boys back home are always backing me up and handling my trash talk for me if I ever needed them to,” O’Connor said.

Catch Austin O’Connor’s MMA Debut LIVE At Fury FC 91, Sunday, June 9, ONLY On UFC FIGHT PASS! 

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