Watch:: Dana White Applauds Sean O’Malley’s Teammate After Gutsy DWCS Performance

The Great Falls native trained with O’Malley and UFC bantamweight Mario Bautista at the MMA Lab gym in Arizona and was backed by ‘Suga’ even before his debut. The majority of his fights before the DWCS debut ended in the first round via either knockouts or submissions.

DWCS has seen athletes from lesser-known promotions, collegiate champions, and wrestling prodigies. However, the first fighter from DWCS to become a champion was former light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill, who defeated Glover Teixeira at UFC 283 in 2023. Even newly crowned UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena had secured his UFC contract at DWCS 5.

McMillen’s victory on Dana White’s Contender Series highlights the impact of perseverance, discipline, and the guidance of mentors like Sean O’Malley. Despite almost facing a submission loss early, the young fighter’s resilience and strategic adjustments earned him a UFC contract. This proved that fights in the UFC are not over until the final bell.

Tommy McMillen escapes nasty submission attempt David Mgoyan at Dana White’s Contender Series 9

Tommy McMillen’s recent appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series 9 showcased both his resilience and determination as a rising fighter. McMillen entered the cage with high expectations but also the pressure of proving himself on a big stage. The matchup delivered plenty of drama, including tense moments where McMillen appeared close to being submitted, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.

Throughout the bout, McMillen demonstrated toughness and composure under fire. In the very first round, he was caught in a near-submission that had many believing the fight could end at any moment. However, McMillen managed to survive, showing excellent defensive awareness. He then turned the tide by pressing forward and landed effective strikes, while controlling key exchanges.

The scenario reminded fans of featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski ‘s title defense against Brian Ortega at UFC 266. Volk was caught in a nasty guillotine choke that looked like it would either put him to sleep or make him tap out at any moment. However, he showed resilience and found his way out in a similar manner.

In the end, McMillen secured a hard-fought majority decision victory, a testament to both his skill set and his resilience. While the fight revealed areas for improvement, particularly in defending submissions, it also reinforced the idea that McMillen is a competitor who won’t quit easily. His performance at DWCS 9 not only earned him a win but also a UFC contract that promises more wars to come.