For Tommy McMillen, an MMA fighter with an impressive 8-0 professional record, fighting is a family affair. His father was a semi-professional boxer and later a wrestling coach who made sure McMillen began training early in his home state of Montana.

“As a 3-year-old, I wrestled in the 5- and 6-year-old division because you technically weren’t supposed to compete that young,” McMillen explains. “But my dad was one of the wrestling coaches, so I was able to do it.”

Today, he is closing in on a UFC contract — but McMillen is approaching his next bout like he always has.

“I prepare for every fight like a UFC World Championship is on the line. That’s the athlete I am, and that’s the level I can perform at,” he says. “Every time I’m training like I’m going against the best in the world, because that’s what brings out the best of me.”

While MMA is a very individual sport, the support McMillen receives from his team around him has played a massive role in where he is. The financial, physical and mental efforts needed to be a champion is monumental and it takes a great team to understand that.

“At the end of the day, I get in there by myself and go to work. But it really does take a village to do what I’m doing in this sport, and I’m super thankful to just train at the Red Hawk Academy under Tim Welch. He’s the best coach in MMA,” McMillen says.


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Having support is necessary for any fighter’s continued success, especially in a high impact sport where injuries are common. McMillen has had more than one setback physically, and coaches like Welch have made the road to recovery smoother.

Becoming a full-time athlete is difficult in any sport, but especially in MMA which doesn’t have the same feeder systems as football, basketball and other major sports — meaning sponsors are crucial.

“Starting off as a young pro MMA fighter, you need the support of people like Phillips Law Foundation. They give you the ability to stay in the gym and train full time,” McMillen says. “At the beginning of your martial arts career, you’re not going to make much money, but you need to find a way to spend all your time in the gym.”

McMillen’s next bout will be against Cody Law on Sept. 2 as part of Dana White’s Contender Series. Despite the setbacks, Tommy McMillen is confident that his fighting prowess and preparation will carry him to victory.

“At this point, it’s just second nature. My earliest memories of me are out on the wrestling mat at 3 years old, competing in a one-on-one combat,” he concludes. “It’s what I was born to do.”

Photo courtesy of Phillips Law Foundation.