UFC Fight Night: Tommy McMillen vs Manolo Zecchini Preview & Prediction
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Sean O'Malley's unbeaten training partner Tommy McMillen makes his long-awaited promotional debut against Italian finisher Manolo Zecchini
Tommy McMillen vs Manolo Zecchini facts
What time are Tommy McMillen and Manolo Zecchini expected to walk out?
Where is UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs Duncan? Meta Apex, Enterprise, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs Duncan? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 272
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs Duncan on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs Duncan? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs Duncan main card
Renato Moicano vs Chris Duncan (Lightweight)
Virna Jandiroba vs Tabatha Ricci (Women’s Strawweight)
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev vs Brendson Ribeiro (Light Heavyweight)
Ethyn Ewing vs Rafael Estevam (Bantamweight)
Tommy McMillen vs Manolo Zecchini (Featherweight)
Jose Mauro Delano vs Robert Ruchala (Featherweight)
UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs Duncan prelims
Guilherme Pat vs Thomas Petersen (Heavyweight)
Alessandro Costa vs Stewart Nicoll (Flyweight)
Lando Vannata vs Darrius Flowers (Lightweight)
Alice Pereira vs Hailey Cowan (Women’s Bantamweight)
Azamat Bekoev vs Tresean Gore (Middleweight)
Dione Barbosa vs Melissa Gatto (Women’s Flyweight)
Tommy McMillen: Can the Suga Show's protege translate his potential to the big stage?
Tommy McMillen (9-0) is the latest project to emerge from Tim Welch's camp, the same coach behind Sean O'Malley, and the influence is evident in his striking technique. A two-time Montana state wrestling champion who has since developed a rangy striking game with O'Malley's fingerprints all over it, McMillen brings a dangerous frame and toughness to his UFC debut. His Contender Series performance against David Mgoyan was a character-building showing, struggling early and surviving a deep guillotine only to outwork his opponent later on, showing impressive durability and heart that his regional stoppages alone couldn't reveal. Tommy will be looking to put on a better performance in this bout, as the last one was uncomfortably close...
Manolo Zecchini: High-finishing rate Italian returning after a lengthy layoff
Manolo Zecchini (11-4) enters this fight having not competed since his first-round TKO loss to Morgan Charriere at UFC Paris in September 2023, a layoff of over two and a half years. The featherweight carries a remarkable 82% knockout ratio with eight of them coming in the first round, however, his UFC debut exposed some vulnerabilities. Against Charriere he ate far too many straight shots, showing a lack of head movement off the centreline and a guard that wings outwards, leaving his body dangerously exposed to kicks. His takedown defence has shown some promise against lesser opponents, but it hasn't been tested against a proper wrestler of McMillen's pedigree.
Tommy McMillen vs Manolo Zecchini prediction
The lengthy layoff is a looming unknown over Zecchini here, more than two and a half years out of competition is significant at any level, and his last showing didn't exactly inspire confidence about how he handles sharp, accurate strikers. The same vulnerabilities Charriere exposed - arms winging outwards, wide open body, head staying static on centreline, are the exact habits that McMillen's camp is built to punish. Training alongside O'Malley means body kicks up the middle are baked into the system, and Zecchini's open guard provides a clear invitation.
On the feet McMillen isn't the polished product O'Malley is, slower and less refined - but he has the length, wrestling base, and toughness to wear Zecchini down. If Zecchini's takedown defence holds up and he can keep this standing, there's an upset lurking given his finishing power, but the rust factor combined with those defensive holes makes that a tough ask. McMillen should be able to mix his striking with his wrestling threat to control the pace, and the kick into a straight punch will also be an effective combination here too. McMillen will look to outwork Zecchini here, back the debutant.
Prediction: Tommy McMillen to win
