Welch says McMillen earns 'way more' than O'Malley did after three UFC fights

A coach who works with both men says the newer star has already passed the older one where it counts. Tim Welch, who trains Sean O'Malley and Tommy McMillen, told The Ariel Helwani Show that McMillen is earning more than almost any UFC fighter has after three fights. He offered no numbers, so the claim rests on his word alone.

Asked directly how McMillen compares with O'Malley at the same point, Welch did not hedge: "I mean after a third fight, way more. Way more." The comparison matters because O'Malley, a 32-year-old bantamweight, has been one of the UFC's most marketable fighters for years.

The claim was challenged on one point. Journalist John S. Nash noted that Holly Holm made $1.1 million to fight Ronda Rousey in 2015, which was her third fight in the promotion. That is a reminder that a big third-fight payday has precedent, and Welch's "probably ever" is a boast rather than a documented record.

What is solid is McMillen's rise. He beat Marwan Rahiki in September, overcoming adversity along the way, to stay unbeaten in the UFC with his third win. He has earned three bonuses since debuting in April, and his aggressive style makes him a regular source of entertaining fights, though questions remain about how well it would hold up against the division's top fighters.

That is where Welch's plan gets interesting. He would like a matchup that pushes McMillen into the featherweight rankings. He is also relaxed about the alternative: fighting unranked opponents while brand deals do the heavy lifting. "Let him stack, baby," he said.

Watch for McMillen's next booking. A ranked opponent would answer the style questions; another unranked one would suggest the money-first approach Welch described is the plan.