UNC fifth-year senior Austin O’Connor — who became the Tar Heels’ first NCAA champion in wrestling since 1995 this past March — posted on Instagram that he is interested in joining the UFC in the future.
Standing alongside former UNC Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier, O’Connor made his future plans clear. Cormier was also an accomplished NCAA wrestler before getting into mixed martial arts, finishing as the national runner-up at 184 pounds while at Oklahoma State then going on to have a successful career with the U.S. National Team.
O’Connor won the national championship at 149 pounds last season and has won two consecutive ACC crowns in the weight class. He has indicated plans to move up to 157 pounds for his final year of eligibility with the Tar Heels next season, in order to make his weight cut a bit smaller.
For his career at UNC, O’Connor has posted an incredible record of 66-7 — including a perfect 8-0 mark last season.
Photo via UNC Athletics
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