DWCS 2025: Episode 4 Breakdown and Predictions

Featherweight, Tommy McMillen (8-0) Vs David Mgoyan (7-0)

Notable Notes

• Mgoyan has fought superior competition
• Mgoyan has won via Submission, KO/TKO, and Decision
• McMillen has never gone the distance
  He’s never been outside of round one as a pro

Tommy McMillen

McMillen is a highly touted prospect from the MMA Lab gym, often compared to his teammate Sean O’Malley. It’s tough to accurately gauge his level, though, as he’s been running through opponents with limited competition.

He’s confident wherever the fight goes and has consistently dictated the pace so far. A three-time state wrestling champion, McMillen hasn’t really had to initiate offensive wrestling much—his striking threat is enough to make opponents hesitant to shoot, which often works in his favor.

Using his size and wrestling ability, he’s effective at defending takedowns and transitioning into offensive positions. He’s dangerous in front headlock situations, frequently attacking with a nasty guillotine choke.

I’d like to see him tested more, as many of his fights remain stagnant until he secures the finish. His striking technique is still somewhat unclear. He has a strong right hand, covers distance well, and hits hard, but his defensive skills on the feet haven’t been fully tested.

I’m more confident in his wrestling abilities. He can both defend and initiate takedowns effectively while threatening with neck attacks and ground-and-pound damage.

With the team, size, and youth behind him, McMillen has the tools to become a special talent in this sport.

David Mgoyan

Mgoyan is a top-tier prospect and a nightmare matchup for anyone. He’s well-rounded, but his wrestling and grappling stand out as his strongest assets. Opponents are often so concerned about his takedown threat that it opens up opportunities for him on the feet.

He possesses good hands—especially a sharp straight right—with fast hands and effective reach. But it’s his wrestling that truly sets him apart. He can explode in with a double leg, seamlessly transition to a single leg, and “run the pipe” to secure dominant positions.

He’s excellent at shooting in, cutting angles, and taking the back. From the back standing, he’s effective at mat returns and using trips or drags to bring opponents down. Mgoyan employs crafty techniques such as stepping on his opponent’s calf to disrupt balance and, off the rear body lock, falling back to kick out legs.

If there’s an area for improvement, it’s his top control. At just 21, he’s still developing physically and could add more strength to his game. That said, once he settles on top, he delivers vicious ground and pound—constantly slicing with elbows and wearing down opponents.

He actively inflicts damage when controlling position, and if opponents manage to escape back to their feet, he’s excellent at chaining attacks together and keeping them pressured.

Mgoyan is arguably one of the best prospects on this season’s Contender Series—and that’s a strong endorsement.

Prediction: Styles make fights, and this one shapes up to be a solid matchup. On paper, it’s all Mgoyan. He’s beaten tougher competition like John De Jesus and Frank Wells, while McMillen’s resume features lesser opponents.

If anyone can stuff Mgoyan’s takedowns, it’s McMillen. He’s a wrestler with size advantage and has shown solid defensive wrestling—even if against lower-level competition.

If the fight stays standing, things get interesting. McMillen has power but hasn’t yet demonstrated a deep striking arsenal. Mgoyan, meanwhile, is the more versatile wrestler, showing a wider variety of techniques and transitions.

McMillen is untested at this level, so this fight will provide plenty of answers about his potential. My pick is Mgoyan by decision.