Among the best wrestlers in UNC historical past enters the world of MMA.
Two-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion Austin O’Connor is placing the gloves on.
O’Connor, 25, will soar proper into the skilled ranks June 9 when he faces fellow professional debut Camden Fontenot (3-1 beginner) in a featherweight bout at Fury FC 91 in Rosenberg, Texas.
Born and raised in Illinois, O’Connor joined the College of North Carolina wrestling crew in 2017 after 4 straight state championship victories in highschool. He received an NCAA championship in 2021 at 149 kilos and one other one in 2023 at 157 kilos. He additionally was a five-time All-American and three-time ACC champion.
Resulting from an absence of a great weight class within the Olympics, O’Connor turned his consideration towards MMA following his sixth and remaining 12 months of eligibility.
“I type of fell at a foul weight (for the Olympics). I used to be type of an inbetweener,” O’Connor just lately informed MMA Junkie Radio. “I all the time had an curiosity in MMA and was related with the precise folks and all the things. I simply type of began chasing that down as a substitute of wrestling.”
In keeping with O’Connor, he had numerous ends of the MMA group attain out to him for coaching and administration functions, from JacksonWink to Bo Nickal to Vayner Sports activities. Ultimately, he discovered consolation beneath the wing of former UFC double champion Daniel Cormier.
“I felt like he was anyone I might belief and anyone I appeared as much as,” O’Connor mentioned. “He’s anyone that’s gone via the identical factor as me. … I like that he type of retains his crew small and within the wrestling group.”
In preparation for his skilled debut on UFC Combat Go, O’Connor has been cross-training at Valle Movement Placing (VFS) Academy in Besenville, In poor health. and American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) in San Jose, Calif., whereas additionally working as an assistant wrestling coach for College of Illinois wrestling.
Take heed to O’Connor’s full interview with MMA Junkie Radio beneath:
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