Tommy McMillen wanted to prove point by knocking out Manolo Zecchini

Tommy
McMillen wants to establish himself as a fan-friendly
fighter. 

McMillen made his
UFC debut in a featherweight tilt against Manolo
Zecchini at
UFC Fight Night 272 in Las Vegas. It was a firefight from the
very beginning, with McMillen landing the more consequential shots.
While both fighters started showing signs of fatigue in the very
first round, McMillen had an evident advantage on the feet. “Gun”
finally dropped his beaten-down opponent with a knee to the body,
and a few follow-up shots were necessary for the referee to step
in. 

With McMillen being an ace submission artist, the oddsmakers had
him as a heavy favorite for a submission win. McMillen claims he
could have submitted his opponent any time he wanted. However, the
28-year-old wanted to put on a show in his UFC debut. McMillen
notes that he went toe-to-toe on the feet and came out victorious
against the Italian, who has nine knockout wins to his name.

Something to Prove

“Vegas is smart, they had the submission as minus money,” McMillen
said in a post-fight interview with the UFC. “I could have subbed
that kid out any time I wanted to. But I was coming in here with
something to prove. I want those bonuses, I fight for bonus money.
So I went in there and TKO’d him… I think he’s got like 10
finishes, nine knockouts. And I went in there and stood toe-to-toe
with a dude that’s got knockout power. He’s knocked a lot of people
out, I knocked him out. I just want to prove to people that I can
do that. I can go in there and sub them out, but I think that was a
lot more fun for the fans.”

The undefeated McMillen (10-0) has only gone to the distance once
in his 10 career wins, during his
Dana White’s Contender Series victory last year. Meanwhile,
this was Zecchini’s (11-5) first fight since a loss in his UFC
debut in 2023.