Prospect in the Spotlight (Apr 25-26): Tommy McMillen

Introduction

Saturday, April 26th, American featherweight prospect Tommy McMillen will be in action for RUF, where he will be looking continue his winning ways against Dumar Roa. He will be looking for another win, as McMillen looks to inch closer to a UFC contract. He represents the MMA Lab, a top camp in MMA. Let’s take a closer look at this prospect as this week’s “Prospect Spotlight.”

Strengths

Wrestling: McMillen has a wrestling background and it shows in the cage. He is very quick on the takedown and has shown tough to defend his shot. He is very heavy from top position and works quickly to get the finish (more on that later). From top, he has nasty ground-and-pound and a strong submission arsenal, including a nasty guillotine choke. Overall, he has a vice-like grip when it comes to grabbing a neck.

Quick Finisher: McMillen, as a pro, has not left the first round of a fight. In fact, his longest fight is a hair over four minutes. He does not mess around in the cage. He is aggressive from the time the bell rings. He has three knockouts and four submissions, again a testament to the dangerous ground game he has. Dana White and his associates love a finisher, so it’s no wonder McMillen is on their radar.

Needs Improvement

Step Up in Competition: While McMillen is experienced as a pro and amateur, he has yet to take that step up in competition that will really show us how ready he is right now. The 27-year-old has found it tough to find willing dance partners, and there is no shame in building up your experience. That said, he needs a noteworthy opponent to solidify his record and show us where he’s at as a fighter.

Outlook

UFC Top-25: McMillen being a training partner of Sean O’Malley means he’s not only getting good reps in the gym, but that the coaches think he’s good enough to work the former champ regularly. In watching his fights, I see what the coaches see. McMillen is very talented and athletic, which is why he has not lost as a pro or ammy. I think he scores a win in this fight and either scores a high-profile spot on the Contender Series or goes straight to the UFC, where he will have a successful career.