Sean is also known for his "antics" pre-fight, in which he demonstrates comedic comradery with his opponent.[2]
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.[3][4][5] He also attended Weber State.[6]
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.[4] O'Connell was the co-host of a popular sports talk radio show on ESPN700 in Utah called The OC and Hackett Show[7]
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.[8] O'Connell was defeated via knockout in the first round.[9]
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.[10] O'Connell lost the fight via split decision.[11] Their performance earned both participants Fight of the Night honors.[12]
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.[18] He claims he does his jokes to add levity to an otherwise tense situation.[19]
O'Connell next faced Steve Bossé on June 18, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 89.[22] Bossé was awarded a unanimous decision victory.[23] The back and forth action earned both participants Fight of the Night honors.[24]
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.[27] 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.[28]
