Athletes
The Tommy McMillen Show Is Just Getting Started
Featherweight Tommy McMillen Talks Insights To Have Sean O’Malley In His Corner & His UFC Debut In Las Vegas
From a young age, Tommy McMillen set out a goal to become a fighter and wasn’t going to let anything get in his way. Hailing from Great Falls, Montana, McMillen got to watch former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley and former fighter Tim Welch live out their dreams, hoping one day he would follow in their footsteps.
McMillen was constantly in contact with Welch, hoping Welch would see how serious he was about succeeding at his dream of becoming a fighter. A handful of fights and messages later, McMillen finally got his opportunity after O’Malley earned his contract on Dana White’s Contender Series and made the move to Arizona full-time
“Tim called me up and said that Sean was going to buy a house in Arizona and asked if I wanted to rent a room,” McMillen said. “I jumped on the opportunity, I packed up my shitty Honda Accord with no AC in it, and I drove out to Arizona. That was 2017, and I’ve been training out there with those guys ever since.”
Going undefeated in his amateur and professional career thus far, the 28-year-old got his opportunity to compete in front of UFC Brass last September when he competed on Dana White’s Contender Series. The featherweight came out on the right side of the scorecards, securing a split-decision victory and a UFC contract, but it marked the first time McMillen went the distance in his career.
After racking up finishes left and right, McMillen reflected on the 15 minutes spent in the Octagon as an opportunity to learn and grow and ultimately showcase his improvements on Saturday night in Las Vegas against Manolo Zecchini.
“Being able to go 15 minutes in my last fight, I think, is what is going to allow me to put on what is about to be a highlight-level performance on April 4th. The people who knew me and grew up around me know I am a dog. It’s no problem for me to go out there and out dog some kid like that.
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“To be able to show the world that at the highest levelwhen the stakes are high, UFC contract is on the line, it kind of reassures me of who I am, but also the coolest thing about it is I wouldn’t have that fight go any other way because it’s made me so much better by showing me all the things I needed to work on and get better at it. We got to look back on that fight, pick it up, focus on certain things in training to progress at a higher rate, and that’s what we’ve done.”
And as far as his thoughts on the matchup this weekend? He has none.
“It’s a me-versus-me battle,” McMillen said. “I know I have what it takes to become one of the best, most entertaining UFC fighters on the roster, and that’s all I’m focused on. Every guy that steps in the cage with me is the next piece of the puzzle. I never really focus on them or think about them too much. Even for my last fight, I didn’t really watch any tape on the kid at all. It’s a me versus me battle, and I have what it takes to be one of the best, and that’s all I’m focused on, becoming the best version of myself.”
Even during fight week, McMillen was candid in saying he wasn’t focused on the fight in front of him; he was simply living in the present and taking things one day at a time. That isn’t normally something we see with athletes so early on in their young careers, but when you are surrounded by a superstar like Sean O’Malley, you learn a little bit faster.
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“Suga and Tim have been through all of this, and they’re always constantly reminding me to be grateful and be in the moment, and that’s exactly what I’ve been doing all fight week,” McMillen said. “I’m grateful to be here; it’s a blessing, and I’m enjoying the process. I’m not even worried about the fight; I’m just enjoying my life. This is what I’ve always wanted to do. I’m just happy to be here.”
Like his friend and training partner, McMillen wants to see how far he can go in this sport and perhaps become an even bigger superstar than O’Malley has become. Fueled by confidence, the featherweight isn’t worried about what others think because he knows when all is said and done, they’ll be tuning in no matter what.
“I believe that I’m destined to do what I’m doing, and I get a lot of hate, but I also get a lot of love, so I don’t really care what people think, but I know one thing for sure, when I fight, they tune in,” McMillen said. “Whatever I’m doing, they are tuned in, and they’re watching it, so keep tuning in and keep enjoying the show because we got a long way to go from here, and we are just getting started.”
UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs Duncan took place live from Meta APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 4, 2026. See the final Prelim & Main Card Results, Official Scorecards and Who Won Bonuses - and relive the action on UFC FIGHT PASS!
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