Tommy “Gun” McMillen, the trash-talking, hard-partying 28-year-old featherweight, is already feeling like “a modern-day rockstar,” and honestly, who can blame him? In just 12 short months, this guy has absolutely blown up the UFC, going from a thrilling, come-from-behind victory on “Dana White’s Contender Series” to two electrifying finishes in the Octagon. He’s 11-0, and every single move he makes, he said, “is unfolding just like I knew it would.” You gotta respect that kind of confidence, right?
The Method to the Madness of “Gunz”
Forget the aggressive tattoos, the dark sunglasses, and that jet-black floppy hair for a second. McMillen, who even calls himself “Gunz” in the third person, is a calculated businessman. He’s got just as much method as madness, blending an old-school martial arts mindset with his hard-partying ways. This Montana native packed up as a teenager and headed to Phoenix, renting a room from none other than future UFC bantamweight champ “Suga” Sean O’Malley. McMillen actually became the first fighter O’Malley and head coach Tim Welch cornered under their Red Hawk Academy banner. O’Malley himself said McMillen “is one of those rare kids that is born to fight. His whole life has revolved around fighting and it shows.” That’s high praise from “Suga” Sean, and it tells you everything about the kind of relentless will and maniacal hard work McMillen puts in. He’s been obsessing over this vision for “20-plus years, two decades.”
Record-Breaking Power and The Detractors
Just two months ago, McMillen stole the show at UFC Fight Night in Oklahoma City. He didn’t just win, he outbrawled and finished Alberto Montes, and in doing so, he shattered Nate Diaz’s long-standing UFC record for most significant strikes landed in a three-round bout. Think about that, Nate Diaz’s record! That’s a huge statement from a fighter who’s only five months into his UFC career. But for all his success, McMillen still faces a vocal army of detractors. They’re out there saying he’s overhyped, an attention seeker who hasn’t fought anyone with a real “name,” and that his reckless fighting style won’t hold up at the elite level. Those folks are watching McMillen’s every move, waiting for him to slip up.
The Big One: Prospect to Contender, or a Taste of Reality?
This Saturday, all eyes are on Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale for Noche UFC. McMillen is stepping into the Octagon as a small betting favorite against the undefeated knockout artist Marwan “Freaky” Rahiki, who also sits at 9-0. This isn’t just another fight, not for “Gunz.” A win here catapults him from a promising prospect to a legitimate contender in the 145-pound division. But a loss? Well, that’s what all those doubters are waiting for. They’d love nothing more than to see his meteoric rise hit a wall. You can catch the main card starting at 5 p.m. ET on Paramount+. This is it, folks, the moment where McMillen either silences the haters for good or gives them exactly what they want.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
Leave a Reply