Luke Riley Wants Tommy McMillen, Predicts Round 1 KO

Luke Riley says he wants a fight with fellow unbeaten featherweight Tommy McMillen and believes he'd finish him inside the first round.

Riley, Paddy Pimblett's Liverpool training partner, told Ronins MMA he expects to return to the UFC in December in Las Vegas, and that McMillen tops his list of appealing matchups at 145 pounds. He didn't issue a formal callout, but he made his interest and his prediction clear.

"Me and Tommy would have a great fight," Riley said. "Look, I like Tommy. He's bringing the fire back to the division. I like what he's doing. So, me and Tommy would have a great fight. I would knock Tommy out in Round 1. 100%."

Why This Matchup Makes Sense Right Now

Both featherweights are building real buzz with zero losses on their records. Riley is 14-0 and has finished two of his three UFC wins since debuting last year, most recently stopping Kai Kamaka III in the first round this past July. McMillen, a Dana White's Contender Series signee, sits at 12-0 and has also finished two of his three UFC wins, earning a bonus in every one of them, including a three-round war with Marwan Rahiki at Noche UFC 4 that handed Rahiki his first pro loss.

That combination, two prospects who finish fights and haven't tasted defeat, is exactly the kind of pairing the UFC likes to fast-track. Riley's praise for McMillen bringing "the fire back to the division" reads as an open invitation more than idle chatter, especially with a December return window already on his calendar.

Betting Angle

No line exists yet because the fight isn't official, but the shape of a potential Riley-McMillen booking points to a pick'em or only slightly lopsided market if it comes together. Both men strike with finishing intent early, which cuts both ways for bettors: live-underdog and first-round finish props would likely carry real value given how often each man has ended fights inside the distance. Riley's public first-round KO prediction is bold, but sportsbooks tend to discount fighter callouts until a booking is confirmed, so treat any early buzz as noise until the UFC makes it official.

Until a contract is signed, this stays a matchup Riley wants, not one that's locked in. But with both featherweights actively building momentum and a December Las Vegas card already on Riley's radar, the pieces are in place for it to happen soon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Luke Riley call out Tommy McMillen?

Luke Riley stopped short of a formal callout but said he likes a potential UFC matchup with Tommy McMillen and predicted he would knock him out in the first round.

What are Luke Riley and Tommy McMillen's UFC records?

Luke Riley is 14-0 overall with two finishes in three UFC wins, while Tommy McMillen is 12-0 overall with two finishes in three UFC wins, including a bonus in each victory.

When is Luke Riley expected to fight next?

Luke Riley said he is likely to return to UFC action in December in Las Vegas, though no opponent has been officially announced.