Fighter Profile: Casey O’Neill

Casey O’Neill entered the UFC in 2021 and since then has gone on a wrecking course towards the top of the Flyweight Division. She looked good in her last outing when she faced women’s MMA veteran Roxanne Modafferi, in Modafferi’s last fight in the UFC. O’Neill is undefeated in her pro career and if she plays her cards right she could find herself in the UFC Octagon across from current Flyweight Champion Valentina Schevchenko as Women’s Flyweight is one of the UFC’s shallowest active divisions.

O’Neill was born Irvine, Scotland on October 7, 1997 to a father who was a Professional Kickboxer. O’Neill would start training in the art at age of four. She’d eventually start training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Her family would eventually move to Australia’s Gold Coast. It was here that O’neill attended Coombabah State High School. While in school her father reluctantly let her take part in her first amateur MMA fight when she was only 15 years of age. She’d lose the contest by TKO to a 19 year old woman. O’Neill would compile a 5-2 record as an amateur before turning pro.

O’Neill made her professional debut against Amira Hafizovic in April of 2019 she’d win the fight via Unanimous Decision and would win the Eternal MMA Strawweight Championship. She’d then face Jada Ketley in July of 2019 O’Neill got the victory by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke.) Miki Motono would be next for O’Neill she’d win the bout by Unanimous Decision on the judge’s scorecards. She’d then move up to Flyweight to fight Caitlin McEwen and would get the nod from the judges again. Christina Stelliou would be her final fight in a non major promotion. O’Neill would win the bout via Knockout, the first of her professional career.

O’Neill’s next bout would be her first fight in the biggest MMA promotion in the world, the UFC. She’d face Shana Dobson and would win via TKO (Punches.) She’d then face Lara Procópio winning by Technical Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) in June of 2021. She’d then face Current Flyweight Champion Valentina Schevchenko’s sister Antonina Schevchenko in October of 2021. O’Neill would win the fight by TKO (Punches.) O’Neill would then face Roxanne Modafferi at UFC 271 in Modafferi’s retirement fight. O’Neill would get the victory in a Split Decision.

O’Neill is currently ranked 12th in the UFC Flyweight division. It is not known who will be next for her.

FIGHTER PROFILE: STEPHEN ‘WONDERBOY’ THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson kicks Geoff Neal in their welterweight fight on December 19, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC — Thompson lands a kick. Photo Courtesy of Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC

Stephen Thompson is one of the most underrated fighters in the UFC at the current moment. The former Undefeated kickboxer and Karate black belt is one of the best Welterweights in all of MMA and is currently ranked 5th in the UFC Welterweight rankings. Thompson currently is one of the most respected martial artists in the sport due to his respect and the way he is a constant role model to both his students and any other Martial Artist that looks up to him.

Thompson was born February 11, 1983 in Simpsonville, South Carolina. Thompson started training in martial arts at age three under his father, Ray Thompson who happened to own Upstate Karate. Thompson’s father was a former professional kickboxer so it was no mystery that he’d get his son involved in the sport he loved. At age 15 Thompson started competing in both karate and kickboxing. Thompson holds a black belt in Tetsushin-ryū Kempo, American Kickboxing and Jujutsu. Thompson currently is the head instructor at Upstate Karate, when he is not participating in training for his time in The UFC octagon. Thompson also studies Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under his brother-in-law Carlos Machado. Thompson currently has a brown belt in BJJ.

Thompson made his MMA Debut in February of 2010 when he defeated Jeremy Joles by TKO (punches) for the Fight Party promotion. Thompson would fight three more times for the promotion and once for the Xtreme Chaos promotion. He didn’t lose a fight in the smaller promotions. This would lead Thompson to the UFC. Thompson made his UFC debut on February 4th, 2012 with a win over Dan Stittgen. The win which came by knockout was quite the arrival for Thompson. Who worked his way to the top of the division in subsequent fights. This would lead to Thompson earning a title shot against Tyron Woodley four years later. Unfortunately this fight ended in a draw which led to an immediate rematch with Tyron Woodley. Unfortunately this would lead Thompson to a rare loss in the fight game.

Thompson has worked his way back to the top of the Welterweight division and is currently ranked #5 in the division. His last fight was to Gilbert Burns and was unfortunately a loss. Hopefully Thompson gets back to his winning ways as he is an example of what a martial artist should strive to be.

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FIGHTER PROFILE: MICHAEL ‘VENOM’ PAGE

Michael Venom Page MMA fighter training — MVP Takes flight. (PHOTO CREDIT Michael Page)

Michael ‘Venom’ Page or simply ‘MVP’ as he’s known to fans is one of the most electrifying stars that’s ever stepped into the Bellator cage. Page is once again going to step into the cage on Friday for a rematch against Douglas Lima, who is the only fighter that Page has lost against in his career. Page looks to avenge this sole loss and move up in the Welterweight rankings and hopefully earn a title shot with a win against Lima. The long awaited rematch will go down at the SSE Arena, in Wembley, UK.

Page was born on April 7th 1987 in London, England at St. Mary’s Hospital. Page’s parents were both martial artists who practiced Lau Gar Kung fu. His father is of Trinidadian descent and his mother is of Jamaican descent. Page comes from a big family with nine siblings all who were involved in martial arts in some capacity. Page decided to follow suit. Page’s Father, Curtis Page Sr. became his kickboxing instructor and led Page to a prosperous kickboxing career where Page would become a champion. Which also was a family affair as Page’s brothers Curtis Jr., Jamie, and Kalon are also kickboxing champions, along with one of Page’s sisters, Sefena.

Page would decide to go on to fight MMA due to many different factors, but mainly decided that he didn’t like the politics of the kickboxing scene so he chose greener pastures of MMA. He started training with the London Shootfighter’s team after considering a move to America to train at American Top Team.

Page would make his MMA debut at UCMMA 26: The Real Deal. He’d defeat Ben Dishman by TKO and would go on to win his next two fights, before he’d make his Bellator MMA Debut against Ryan Sanders by KO. Page would go on to win his next 10 fights in the Bellator Cage, and would only get his first loss against Douglas Lima, by KO.

Page would go on to win his next five fights against tough competition and on Friday will get his rematch against Lima who has lost two of his last four. We will see how this plays out for Page whose star is shining and definitely deserves a title shot.

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