Casey O'Neill Talks UFC 331 Finish, Dana White Conversation and Future Title Shot
Following her big win at UFC 331, Casey O'Neill has discussed her finish, the conversation she had with Dana White and a potential title shot.
Casey O'Neill stole many of the headlines at UFC 331 with one of the most creative armbars we've seen in UFC history. The flyweight scored what is being described as an elevated armbar, which earned her a $50k bonus.
Discussing her finish with former UFC flyweight Diana Belbeita on the Romanian's YouTube channel, O'Neill described her armbar, saying, “I just felt that, when she was trying to pass, her pressure was very like top heavy so I knew that her hips would be very easy to elevate. When I got my foot on her hip I was like ‘I’ll just try'”.
The finish saw her equal the former champion, Valentina Shevchenko's finishes at 125lbs to which she simply said, "I didn’t know that but that’s very exciting, that’s great”.
Casey O'Neill Details Conversation with Dana White Backstage and Future Title Shot
Casey O'Neill also discussed a conversation that she had with UFC boss, Dana White following her big win, stating, "He told me he thinks I’m the first person to ever hit that submission in the UFC and he said that everyone backstage was going crazy so yeah it’s super nice being recognised”.
In the current state of the flyweight division, getting seen has never been so important. The division is certainly in turmoil with the former champion, Valentina Shevchenko, having to vacate. The title fight between Natalia Silva and Wang Cong could be good, but it's hard to get excited about a title fight when one of the women (Cong) clearly isn't deserving of the shot.
The next contender after the two women competing for the vacant belt is likely Alexa Grasso after her win over Manon Fiorot; however, there isn't much of an appetite to see her in a fourth title shot in the future with Shevchenko.
Talking on a potential title shot in the future, O'Neill said, "Everyone in the top 10 is just one big win away from fighting for the belt so who knows maybe I come back early next year, have another great fight and it puts me in a title contention fight".
It's worth noting that she also said: "Finally, I'm in my prime".
Exciting times ahead for fans of 'King' Casey O'Neill.
