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.