Sean O'Connell (born September 2, 1983) is an American former professional
mixed martial artist
Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact fighting sport based on striking and grappling; incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world.
In the early 20th century, various inter-stylistic contests took place t ...
who most recently competed and won a title in the
Light Heavyweight
Light heavyweight is a weight class in combat sports.
Boxing
Professional
In professional boxing, the division is above and up to , falling between super middleweight and cruiserweight (boxing), cruiserweight.
The light heavyweight class has ...
division of the
Professional Fighters League (PFL). A professional competitor since 2007, O'Connell has formerly competed for the
Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promoter (entertainment), promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority owned subsidiary of Endeavor ( ...
and
Maximum Fighting Championship. He currently serves as a commentator for the PFL.
Sean is also known for his "antics" pre-fight, in which he demonstrates comedic comradery with his opponent.
Background
Originally from
Cottage Grove, Minnesota
Cottage Grove is a city south of Saint Paul, Minnesota, Saint Paul in Washington County, Minnesota, Washington County in the U.S. state, state of Minnesota. It lies on the north bank of the Mississippi River, north of the confluence with the ...
, O'Connell competed in football and wrestling at
Jordan High School in Sandy, Utah before continuing his football career collegiately. While in high school O'Connell was a member of the coveted football group Pain Train, which was reserved for only the toughest members of the offensive line. However, O'Connell would transfer to three different schools including
Southern Utah University and
The University of Utah where he made the team as a walk-on, while looking to get more playing time. O'Connell turned his attention to mixed martial arts to supplement his Football training. O'Connell graduated from The University of Utah, with a degree in psychology.
He also attended
Weber State.
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
O'Connell made his professional MMA debut in 2007 with no striking training other than cardio
kickboxing
Kickboxing ( ) is a full-contact hybrid Martial arts, martial art and Boxing (disambiguation), boxing type based on punch (combat), punching and kicking. Kickboxing originated in the 1950s to 1970s. The fight takes place in a boxing ring, norma ...
which he would do to help stay in shape. Despite having limited training, O'Connell was successful early on in his career and held an overall record of 6–2, which earned him an invitation to compete on
The Ultimate Fighter: Team Nogueira vs. Team Mir. O'Connell, however, was eliminated in the opening round to make it to the final cast. O'Connell, who also ran a sports talk show for a radio station in San Francisco at the time was on a five-fight winning streak and held an overall professional record of 14–4, before inviting UFC president
Dana White to come onto his show. O'Connell asked White for a contract live on air and was signed a year later.
O'Connell was the co-host of a popular sports talk radio show on ESPN700 in Utah called The OC and Hackett Show
Ultimate Fighting Championship
O'Connell made his promotional debut as a short notice injury replacement at
The Ultimate Fighter Nations Finale on April 16, 2014, against
Ryan Jimmo.
O'Connell was defeated via knockout in the first round.
His next appearance was also a short notice fight against
Gian Villante on June 28, 2014, at
UFC Fight Night 43, where he replaced an injured
Anthony Perosh.
O'Connell lost the fight via split decision. Their performance earned both participants ''Fight of the Night'' honors.
On January 18, 2015, O'Connell then faced
Matt Van Buren at
UFC Fight Night 59. he won via third-round TKO. Both participants earned ''Fight of the Night'' honors on the same card as Conor McGregor. He then faced
Anthony Perosh on May 10, 2015, at
UFC Fight Night 65.
He won the fight via TKO in the first round.
O'Connell is well known for his weigh-in antics before professional fights. This became his signature as video circulation of his UFC weigh-ins boosted viewership. Goofs include booping Matt Van Buren on the nose or playing an improvised game of
rock-paper-scissors with Perosh. He claims he does his jokes to add levity to an otherwise tense situation.
O'Connell faced
Ilir Latifi on January 17, 2016, at
UFC Fight Night 81. He lost the fight by knockout in the first round.
O'Connell next faced
Steve Bossé on June 18, 2016, at
UFC Fight Night 89. Bossé was awarded a unanimous decision victory. The back and forth action earned both participants ''Fight of the Night'' honors.
O'Connell faced
Corey Anderson on December 9, 2016, at
UFC Fight Night 102.
He lost the fight by TKO in the second round.
Professional Fighters League
O'Connell signed with
PFL in 2018. In his debut, he faced
Ronny Markes
Ronny Markes (born April 21, 1988) is a Brazilian mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist currently competing in the Heavyweight (MMA), Heavyweight division. A professional competitor since 2007, Markes has formerly competed for the Ultimate Fig ...
at PFL 2 on June 21, 2018, in
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...
, winning the fight by TKO in the second round.
In his second fight for the promotion, O'Connell faced
Bozigit Ataev at
PFL 7 on August 30, 2018. He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.
In the fall of 2018, O'Connell entered the
PFL Light Heavyweight tournament. At
PFL 9 on October 13, 2018, he defeated
Daniel Spohn by majority decision in the quarterfinal round and then fought
Smealinho Rama in the semifinal round the same night, winning by knockout. O'Connell faced
Vinny Magalhães in the finals at
PFL 11 on December 31, 2018. He won the back-and-forth fight via TKO between the third and fourth round after Vinny Magalhães stopped the bout. With the win, O'Connell was crowned the 2018 PFL Light Heavyweight champion and earned the $1 million cash prize.
Of note O’Connell worked as a broadcaster for the PFL commentating cage-side once on the same night as one of his own fights. O’Connell was hired as part of the Professional Fighters League broadcast team after his retirement as cage-side play by play announcer.
Retirement
Following his 2018 PFL tournament win, O'Connell announced he was retiring from MMA competition.
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
*
Professional Fighters League
**2018 Light Heavyweight Champion
*
Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promoter (entertainment), promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority owned subsidiary of Endeavor ( ...
**
Fight of the Night (Three times)
**UFC.com Awards
***2016:
Ranked #4 Fight of the Year
Mixed martial arts record
, -
, Win
, align=center, 21–10
,
Vinny Magalhães
, TKO (corner stoppage)
,
PFL 11
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
New York City, New York
New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on New York Harbor, one of the world's largest natural harb ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 20–10
,
Smealinho Rama
, KO (punches)
, rowspan=2 ,
PFL 9
, rowspan=2 ,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 1:45
, rowspan=2 ,
Long Beach, California
Long Beach is a coastal city in southeastern Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is the list of United States cities by population, 44th-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 451,307 as of 2022. A charter ci ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 19–10
,
Daniel Spohn
, Decision (majority)
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 5:00
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 18–10
,
Bozigit Ataev
, TKO (spinning back kick and punches)
,
PFL 7
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 3:30
,
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City, sometimes referred to by its initials A.C., is a Jersey Shore seaside resort city (New Jersey), city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey.
Atlantic City comprises the second half of ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 18–9
,
Ronny Markes
Ronny Markes (born April 21, 1988) is a Brazilian mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist currently competing in the Heavyweight (MMA), Heavyweight division. A professional competitor since 2007, Markes has formerly competed for the Ultimate Fig ...
, TKO (punches)
,
PFL 2
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 0:41
,
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...
, United States
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 17–9
,
Corey Anderson
, TKO (punches)
,
UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Abdurakhimov
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 2:36
,
Albany, New York
Albany ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of New York (state), New York. It is located on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River. Albany is the oldes ...
, United States
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 17–8
,
Steve Bossé
, Decision (unanimous)
,
UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Thompson
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Ottawa, Ontario
Ottawa is the capital city of Canada. It is located in the southern Ontario, southern portion of the province of Ontario, at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the cor ...
, Canada
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 17–7
,
Ilir Latifi
, KO (punches)
,
UFC Fight Night: Dillashaw vs. Cruz
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 0:30
,
Boston, Massachusetts
Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and Financial centre, financial center of New England, a region of the Northeas ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 17–6
,
Anthony Perosh
, TKO (punches)
,
UFC Fight Night: Miocic vs. Hunt
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 0:56
,
Adelaide
Adelaide ( , ; ) is the list of Australian capital cities, capital and most populous city of South Australia, as well as the list of cities in Australia by population, fifth-most populous city in Australia. The name "Adelaide" may refer to ei ...
, Australia
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 16–6
,
Matt Van Buren
, TKO (punches)
,
UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Siver
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 2:11
,
Boston, Massachusetts
Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and Financial centre, financial center of New England, a region of the Northeas ...
, United States
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 15–6
,
Gian Villante
, Decision (split)
,
UFC Fight Night: Te Huna vs. Marquardt
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Auckland
Auckland ( ; ) is a large metropolitan city in the North Island of New Zealand. It has an urban population of about It is located in the greater Auckland Region, the area governed by Auckland Council, which includes outlying rural areas and ...
, New Zealand
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 15–5
,
Ryan Jimmo
, KO (punches)
,
The Ultimate Fighter Nations Finale: Bisping vs. Kennedy
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 4:27
,
Quebec City
Quebec City is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Quebec. As of July 2021, the city had a population of 549,459, and the Census Metropolitan Area (including surrounding communities) had a populati ...
,
Quebec
Quebec is Canada's List of Canadian provinces and territories by area, largest province by area. Located in Central Canada, the province shares borders with the provinces of Ontario to the west, Newfoundland and Labrador to the northeast, ...
, Canada
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 15–4
, Markhaile Wedderburn
, Submission (rear-naked choke)
, MFC 39
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 1:48
,
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Alberta. It is situated on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Metropolitan Region, which is surrounded by Central Alberta ...
,
Alberta
Alberta is a Provinces and territories of Canada, province in Canada. It is a part of Western Canada and is one of the three Canadian Prairies, prairie provinces. Alberta is bordered by British Columbia to its west, Saskatchewan to its east, t ...
, Canada
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 14–4
,
Marvin Eastman
, Decision (unanimous)
, Showdown Fights 12
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Orem, Utah
Orem is a city in Utah County, Utah, United States, in the northern part of the state. It is adjacent to Provo, Utah, Provo, Lindon, Utah, Lindon, and Vineyard, Utah, Vineyard and is approximately south of Salt Lake City.
Orem is one of the pri ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 13–4
, Chris Guillen
, TKO (punches)
, Showdown Fights 9
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 0:21
,
Orem, Utah
Orem is a city in Utah County, Utah, United States, in the northern part of the state. It is adjacent to Provo, Utah, Provo, Lindon, Utah, Lindon, and Vineyard, Utah, Vineyard and is approximately south of Salt Lake City.
Orem is one of the pri ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 12–4
, Kip Ramos
, TKO (punches)
, Showdown Fights 7
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 0:33
,
Orem, Utah
Orem is a city in Utah County, Utah, United States, in the northern part of the state. It is adjacent to Provo, Utah, Provo, Lindon, Utah, Lindon, and Vineyard, Utah, Vineyard and is approximately south of Salt Lake City.
Orem is one of the pri ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 11–4
, Trevor Carlson
, Decision (unanimous)
, Showdown Fights 6
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Orem, Utah
Orem is a city in Utah County, Utah, United States, in the northern part of the state. It is adjacent to Provo, Utah, Provo, Lindon, Utah, Lindon, and Vineyard, Utah, Vineyard and is approximately south of Salt Lake City.
Orem is one of the pri ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 10–4
, Ben Fuimaono
, TKO (punches)
, Fight Night: Explosion
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 4:34
,
Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City, often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC, is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities and towns in Utah, most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. It is the county seat of Salt Lake County, Utah, Salt ...
, United States
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 9–4
, Joseph Henle
, Submission (rear-naked choke)
, ZarMMA: Fight Night
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 1:15
,
Layton, Utah, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 9–3
, Tony King
, Decision (unanimous)
, UFO: Rumble at the Races
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Kennewick, Washington
Kennewick () is a city in Benton County, Washington, Benton County in the U.S. state of Washington (state), Washington. It is located along the southwest bank of the Columbia River, just southeast of the confluence of the Columbia and Yakima ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 8–3
, Dwight Parker
, Submission (rear-naked choke)
, WCFC: World Championship Full Contact
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 1:49
,
Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City, often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC, is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities and towns in Utah, most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. It is the county seat of Salt Lake County, Utah, Salt ...
, United States
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 7–3
, Jordan Smith
, Submission (rear-naked choke)
, Throwdown Showdown 3
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 2:30
,
Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City, often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC, is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities and towns in Utah, most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. It is the county seat of Salt Lake County, Utah, Salt ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 7–2
, Hank Weiss
, Decision
, Jeremy Horn's Elite Fight Night 5
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center, 5:00
,
Layton, Utah, United States
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 6–2
, Hank Weiss
, KO (punches)
, Jeremy Horn's Elite Fight Night 1
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 0:08
,
Layton, Utah, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 6–1
, Lima Pule
, Submission (rear-naked choke)
, UCE: Worlds Collide
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 3:28
,
Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City, often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC, is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities and towns in Utah, most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. It is the county seat of Salt Lake County, Utah, Salt ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 5–1
, Lima Pule
, Decision (majority)
, UCE: Episode 6
,
, align=center, 3
, align=center,
,
Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City, often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC, is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities and towns in Utah, most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. It is the county seat of Salt Lake County, Utah, Salt ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 4–1
, David Thomas
, TKO (punches)
, UCE: Episode 6
,
, align=center, 2
, align=center, 2:44
,
Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City, often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC, is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities and towns in Utah, most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. It is the county seat of Salt Lake County, Utah, Salt ...
, United States
,
, -
, Loss
, align=center, 3–1
, Kevin Hill
, TKO (punches)
, UCE: Episode 1
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 0:47
,
Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City, often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC, is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities and towns in Utah, most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. It is the county seat of Salt Lake County, Utah, Salt ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 3–0
, Eric Wenzel
, TKO (punches)
, UCE: Finals
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 1:24
,
Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City, often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC, is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities and towns in Utah, most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. It is the county seat of Salt Lake County, Utah, Salt ...
United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 2–0
, Kenneth Wirfs
, KO (punches)
, UCE: Episode 7
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 0:37
,
Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City, often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC, is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities and towns in Utah, most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. It is the county seat of Salt Lake County, Utah, Salt ...
, United States
,
, -
, Win
, align=center, 1–0
, Jason Delrio
, KO (punches)
, UCE: Episode 2
,
, align=center, 1
, align=center, 0:36
,
Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City, often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC, is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities and towns in Utah, most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. It is the county seat of Salt Lake County, Utah, Salt ...
, United States
,
, -
See also
*
List of current UFC fighters
This list of current UFC fighters records current Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighters' information, country origins, recent fighter signings and departures, fight schedules and results and the champion of each division. , the UFC roster c ...
*
List of male mixed martial artists
This is a list of notable professional male mixed martial arts fighters in alphabetical order.
__NOTOC__
A
* Tank Abbott - ( UFC, Pride, Strikeforce)
* Hamdy Abdelwahab - ( UFC)
* Abdul-Aziz Abdulvakhabov - ( ACB)
* Shamil Abdurakhimov - ...
References
External links
*
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:OConnell, Sean
Living people
1983 births
American male mixed martial artists
Mixed martial artists from Minnesota
Light heavyweight mixed martial artists
Heavyweight mixed martial artists
Mixed martial artists utilizing wrestling
Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters