Sean O'Connell (fighter)
{{short description|American mixed martial arts fighter}}
{{Infobox martial artist
| name = Sean O'Connell
| other_names = The Real OC
| image =
| image_size = 200px
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = Sean O'Connell
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|09|02}}
| birth_place = Cottage Grove, Minnesota, United States
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_cause =
| residence = Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
| nationality = American
| url =
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=1}}
| weight_lb = 205
| weight_class = Light Heavyweight
Heavyweight
| reach_in = 74
| reach_footnote = {{cite web|url=http://ufcstats.com/fighter-details/cb52f9490c2dc069|title=Sean O'Connell - Stats|accessdate=January 17, 2020|work=UFCStats.com}}
| style =
| stance = Orthodox
| fighting_out_of = Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
| team = Jeremy Horn's Elite Performance
| trainer = Jeremy Horn
| rank =
| years_active = 2007–2019
| mma_kowin = 12
| mma_subwin = 3
| mma_decwin = 6
| mma_koloss = 6
| mma_subloss = 2
| mma_decloss = 2
| mma_draw =
| mma_nc =
| sherdog = 33156
| footnotes =
| updated =
}}
Sean O'Connell (born September 2, 1983) is an American former professional mixed martial artist who most recently competed and won a title in the Light Heavyweight division of the Professional Fighters League (PFL). A professional competitor since 2007, O'Connell has formerly competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship 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.{{r|dot}}
Background
Originally from Cottage Grove, Minnesota, 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/athlete/sean-oconnell|title=Sean O'Connell|work=UFC|date=14 September 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2014/06/fighterradio-host-sean-oconnell-once-asked-guest-dana-white-for-ufc-contract|title=Before eventual UFC deal, Sean O'Connell used his radio show to pitch Dana White - MMAjunkie|work=MMAjunkie|date=26 June 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.utahutes.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/oconnell_sean00.html|title=Sean O'Connell Bio - The Official Athletic Site of the University of Utah|work=utahutes.com}} He also attended Weber State.{{Cite web|url=http://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=3978074&itype=CMSID|title=UFC: For onetime Utah walk-on Sean O'Connell, the hard way has been worth it}}
Mixed martial arts career
=Early career=
O'Connell made his professional MMA debut in 2007 with no striking training other than cardio kickboxing 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{{cite web|url=http://espn700sports.com/shows|title=On Air|author=Broadway Media|work=ESPN700|date=6 October 2014 }}
=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.{{cite web|url=http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2014/3/6/5479302/ufc-signs-sean-oconnell-vs-ryan-jimmo-steve-bosse-injury-mma-news|title=Report: UFC targeting Sean O'Connell to replace Steve Bosse at TUF Nations Finale|publisher=bloodyelbow|author=Zane Simon|accessdate=2014-03-06|date=2014-03-06}} O'Connell was defeated via knockout in the first round.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2014/04/tuf-nations-finale-results-photos-ryan-jimmo-kos-sean-oconnell-in-first|title=TUF Nations Finale results, photos: Ryan Jimmo KOs Sean O'Connell in first|publisher=mmajunkie|author=Steven Marrocco|accessdate=2014-04-16|date=2014-04-16}}
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.{{cite news |url= http://mmajunkie.com/2014/05/anthony-perosh-out-at-ufc-fight-night-43-gian-villante-now-meets-sean-oconnell |title=Anthony Perosh out at UFC Fight Night 43, Gian Villante now meets Sean O'Connell |publisher=mmajunkie.com |author=Staff|date=2014-05-13|accessdate=2014-05-13}} O'Connell lost the fight via split decision.{{cite news |url= http://mmajunkie.com/2014/06/ufc-fight-night-43-results-gian-villante-takes-split-call-from-sean-oconnell |title=UFC Fight Night 43 results: Gian Villante takes split call from Sean O'Connell |publisher=mmajunkie.com |author=Matt Erickson|date=2014-06-28|accessdate=2014-06-28}} Their performance earned both participants Fight of the Night honors.{{cite news |url= http://mmajunkie.com/2014/06/ufc-fight-night-43-bonuses-marquardt-oliveira-villante-oconnell-nab-50000 |title=UFC Fight Night 43 bonuses: Marquardt, Oliveira, Villante, O'Connell nab $50,000|publisher=mmajunkie.com |author=Matt Erickson|date=2014-06-28|accessdate=2014-06-28}}
On January 18, 2015, O'Connell then faced Matt Van Buren at UFC Fight Night 59.{{cite news |url= http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/UFC-Fight-Night-Boston-Update-Sean-OConnell-Matt-Van-Buren-Set-to-Meet-76621 |title=UFC Fight Night Boston Update: Sean O'Connell, Matt Van Buren Set to Meet|publisher=sherdog.com |author=Staff|date=2014-11-03|accessdate=2014-11-03}} he won via third-round TKO.{{cite news |url= http://mmajunkie.com/2015/01/ufc-fight-night-59-results-sean-oconnell-survives-beating-finishes-matt-van-buren |title=UFC Fight Night 59 results: Sean O'Connell survives beating, finishes Matt Van Buren|publisher=mmajunkie.com |author=Steven Marrocco|date=2015-01-18|accessdate=2015-01-18}} Both participants earned Fight of the Night honors on the same card as Conor McGregor.{{cite news |url= http://www.mmamania.com/2015/1/19/7759729/ufc-fight-night-59-bonuses-xx-bank-an-extra-50000-each |title=UFC Fight Night 59 bonuses: Conor McGregor, Lorenz Larkin bank an extra $50,000 each|publisher=mmamania.com |author=Thomas Myers|date=2015-01-19|accessdate=2015-01-19}} He then faced Anthony Perosh on May 10, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 65.{{cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2015/02/ufc-fight-night-65-official-for-australia-with-hunt-miocic-tavares-whittaker-more|title=UFC Fight Night 65 official for Australia with Hunt-Miocic, Tavares-Whittaker, more|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2012-02-17|accessdate=2012-02-17}} He won the fight via TKO in the first round.{{cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2015/05/ufc-fight-night-65-results-sean-oconnell-quickly-devastates-anthony-perosh|title=UFC Fight Night 65 results: James Sean O'Connell quickly devastates Anthony Perosh|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Brent Brookhouse|date=2015-05-09|accessdate=2015-05-09}}
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.{{cite news| url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/05/ufc-weigh-in-rock-paper-scissors | work=USA Today | title=UFC fighter pranks opponent at weigh-in with game of rock-paper-scissors}} He claims he does his jokes to add levity to an otherwise tense situation.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=619W98y-ivg|title=Sean O'Connell explains weigh-ins prank, slow start in victory over Matt Van Buren|date=18 January 2015|publisher=|via=YouTube}}
O'Connell faced Ilir Latifi on January 17, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 81.{{cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2015/10/bostons-ufc-fight-night-81-adds-ilir-latifi-vs-sean-oconnell-light-heavyweight-scrap|title=Boston's UFC Fight Night 81 adds Ilir Latifi vs. Sean O'Connell light heavyweight scrap|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2015-10-29|accessdate=2015-10-29}} He lost the fight by knockout in the first round.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/01/ufc-fight-night-81-results-ilir-latifi-stuns-sean-oconnell-with-quick-knockout|title=UFC Fight Night 81 results: Ilir Latifi stuns Sean O'Connell with quick knockout|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Ben Fowlkes|date=2016-01-17|accessdate=2016-01-17}}
O'Connell next faced Steve Bossé on June 18, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 89.{{cite news|url=http://themmareport.com/2016/03/elias-theodorou-vs-sam-alvey-among-multiple-fight-bookings-made-official-for-ufc-fight-night-89/|title=Multiple fight bookings made official for UFC Fight Night 89|publisher=themmareport.com|author=Staff|date=2016-03-29|accessdate=2016-03-29}} Bossé was awarded a unanimous decision victory.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/06/ufc-fight-night-89-results-steve-bosse-outbrawls-sean-oconnell-in-wild-fight|title=UFC Fight Night 89 results: Steve Bosse outbrawls Sean O'Connell in wild fight|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Steven Marrocco|date=2016-06-18|accessdate=2016-06-18}} The back and forth action earned both participants Fight of the Night honors.{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/UFC-Fight-Night-Ottawa-Bonuses-Cerrone-Bosse-OConnell-Jotko-Pocket-3650K-106683|title=UFC Fight Night Ottawa bonuses: Cerrone, Bosse, O'Connell, Jotko pocket $50K|publisher=sherdog.com|author=Tristen Critchfield|date=2016-06-19|accessdate=2016-06-19}}
O'Connell faced Corey Anderson on December 9, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 102.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/10/ufc-fight-night-102-gets-eight-new-fights-including-derrick-lewis-vs-shamil-abdurakhimov-headliner-1|title=UFC Fight Night 102 gets eight new fights|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2016-10-14|accessdate=2016-10-14}} He lost the fight by TKO in the second round.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/12/ufc-fight-night-102-results-corey-anderson-grounds-and-pounds-sean-oconnell-for-tko-win|title=UFC Fight Night 102 results: Corey Anderson grounds and pounds Sean O'Connell for TKO win|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Steven Marrocco|date=2016-12-09|accessdate=2016-12-09}}
=Professional Fighters League=
O'Connell signed with PFL in 2018. In his debut, he faced Ronny Markes at PFL 2 on June 21, 2018, in Chicago, Illinois, 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.pflmma.com/event/pfl-event-7|title=Fight Card - PFL 7|publisher=PFL|access-date=2018-08-31|archive-date=2018-08-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828035928/https://www.pflmma.com/event/pfl-event-7|url-status=dead}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2018/12/pfl-playoff-results-sean-oconnell-retires-mma-1-million-belt-tko-vinny-magalhaes|title=PFL playoff results: Sean O'Connell retires from MMA with $1 million, belt after TKO of Vinny Magalhaes|date=2019-01-01|website=MMAjunkie|language=en|access-date=2019-01-01}}
Championships and accomplishments
=Mixed martial arts=
- Professional Fighters League
- 2018 Light Heavyweight Champion
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Fight of the Night (Three times) {{small|vs. Gian Villante, Matt Van Buren, & Steve Bossé}}
- UFC.com Awards
- 2016: Ranked #4 Fight of the Year {{small|vs. Steve Bossé}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/news/top-ten-best-fights-2016|title=Top Ten - The Best Fights of 2016|author=Thomas Gerbasi|date=December 22, 2016|work=Ultimate Fighting Championship}}
Mixed martial arts record
{{MMArecordbox
|ko-wins=12
|ko-losses=6
|sub-wins=3
|sub-losses=2
|dec-wins=6
|dec-losses=2
}}
{{MMA record start}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|21–10
|TKO (corner stoppage)
|{{dts|2018|December|31}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|New York City, New York, United States
|{{small|Won the 2018 PFL Light Heavyweight Tournament.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|20–10
|KO (punches)
|rowspan=2 | PFL 9
|rowspan=2 | {{dts|2018|October|13}}
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:45
|rowspan=2 | Long Beach, California, United States
|{{small|2018 PFL Light Heavyweight Semifinal bout.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|19–10
|Decision (majority)
|align=center|2
|align=center|5:00
|{{small|2018 PFL Light Heavyweight Quarterfinal bout.}}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|18–10
|TKO (spinning back kick and punches)
|{{dts|2018|August|30}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|3:30
|Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|18–9
|TKO (punches)
|{{dts|2018|June|21}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|0:41
|Chicago, Illinois, United States
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|17–9
|TKO (punches)
|UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Abdurakhimov
|{{dts|2016|December|9}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|2:36
|Albany, New York, United States
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|17–8
|Decision (unanimous)
|UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Thompson
|{{dts|2016|June|18}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
|{{small|Fight of the Night.}}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|17–7
|KO (punches)
|UFC Fight Night: Dillashaw vs. Cruz
|{{dts|2016|January|17}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|0:30
|Boston, Massachusetts, United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 17–6
|TKO (punches)
|UFC Fight Night: Miocic vs. Hunt
|{{dts|2015|May|10}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|0:56
|Adelaide, Australia
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 16–6
| TKO (punches)
| UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Siver
| {{dts|2015|January|18}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|2:11
|Boston, Massachusetts, United States
|{{small|Fight of the Night.}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
|align=center| 15–6
| Decision (split)
| UFC Fight Night: Te Huna vs. Marquardt
| {{dts|2014|June|28}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|Auckland, New Zealand
|{{small|Fight of the Night.}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
|align=center| 15–5
| KO (punches)
| The Ultimate Fighter Nations Finale: Bisping vs. Kennedy
| {{dts|2014|April|16}}
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 4:27
|Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 15–4
| Markhaile Wedderburn
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| MFC 39
| {{dts|2014|January|17}}
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:48
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 14–4
| Decision (unanimous)
| Showdown Fights 12
| {{dts|2013|September|28}}
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
|Orem, Utah, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 13–4
| Chris Guillen
| TKO (punches)
| Showdown Fights 9
| {{dts|2012|November|16}}
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 0:21
|Orem, Utah, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 12–4
| Kip Ramos
| TKO (punches)
| Showdown Fights 7
| {{dts|2012|May|04}}
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:33
|Orem, Utah, United States
|{{small|Light Heavyweight debut.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 11–4
| Trevor Carlson
| Decision (unanimous)
| Showdown Fights 6
| {{dts|2012|February|24}}
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
|Orem, Utah, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 10–4
| Ben Fuimaono
| TKO (punches)
| Fight Night: Explosion
| {{dts|2011|June|10}}
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 4:34
|Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
|align=center| 9–4
| Joseph Henle
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| ZarMMA: Fight Night
| {{dts|2010|November|12}}
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 1:15
|Layton, Utah, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 9–3
| Tony King
| Decision (unanimous)
| UFO: Rumble at the Races
| {{dts|2010|July|24}}
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
|Kennewick, Washington, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 8–3
| Dwight Parker
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| WCFC: World Championship Full Contact
| {{dts|2010|April|03}}
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 1:49
|Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
|align=center| 7–3
| Jordan Smith
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| Throwdown Showdown 3
| {{dts|2009|February|20}}
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:30
|Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 7–2
| Hank Weiss
| Decision
| Jeremy Horn's Elite Fight Night 5
| {{dts|2008|November|14}}
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
|Layton, Utah, United States
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
|align=center| 6–2
| Hank Weiss
| KO (punches)
| Jeremy Horn's Elite Fight Night 1
| {{dts|2008|April|05}}
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 0:08
|Layton, Utah, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 6–1
| Lima Pule
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
| UCE: Worlds Collide
| {{dts|2007|December|01}}
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 3:28
|Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 5–1
| Lima Pule
| Decision (majority)
| UCE: Episode 6
| {{dts|2007|November|10}}
|align=center| 3
|align=center|
|Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 4–1
| David Thomas
| TKO (punches)
| UCE: Episode 6
| {{dts|2007|August|18}}
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 2:44
|Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
|align=center| 3–1
| Kevin Hill
| TKO (punches)
| UCE: Episode 1
| {{dts|2007|July|14}}
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:47
|Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 3–0
| Eric Wenzel
| TKO (punches)
| UCE: Finals
| {{dts|2007|June|16}}
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:24
|Salt Lake City, Utah United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 2–0
| Kenneth Wirfs
| KO (punches)
| UCE: Episode 7
| {{dts|2007|May|19}}
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:37
|Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 1–0
| Jason Delrio
| KO (punches)
| UCE: Episode 2
| {{dts|2007|April|13}}
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:36
|Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
|
|-
{{end}}
See also
References
External links
- {{sports links}}
- {{ESPN MMA|2984771}}
- {{Instagram}}
{{WSOF Title Holders}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:OConnell, Sean}}
Category:American male mixed martial artists
Category:Mixed martial artists from Minnesota
Category:Light heavyweight mixed martial artists
Category:Heavyweight mixed martial artists