Sean O’Malley’s trainer Tim Welch showed off his jiu-jitsu expertise in a new YouTube video where he tapped out one of the UFC’s greatest of all time.
Welch is one of the most respected coaches in the game, and welcomed legendary former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson into his Red Hawk Academy in recent days.
All hands are on deck for O’Malley’s upcoming UFC 316 main event against Merab Dvalishvili next week. However, Welch managed to get in a solid session with Johnson which was recorded for their YouTube channels.
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Sean O’Malley’s coach Tim Welch makes Demetrious Johnson tap out
During a recent visit to Arizona, Demetrious Johnson spent some time at Tim Welch’s Red Hawk Academy where he got involved in Sean O’Malley’s camp for UFC 316. He’s one of many legends who has been to train with the former bantamweight champion with Israel Adesanya also making the trip out.
The pair took part in a gi jiu-jitsu session, which Welch explained point by point during a lengthy video on his YouTube channel. And at one point, the former Bellator fighter locked in a brilliant submission that made ‘Mighty Mouse’ reluctantly tap.
“Once you get the back and get the double collars it’s very strong,” Welch said in an overdub of the footage. “You’re going to be in very good shape.”
Fans did note in the comments section that Welch’s massive weight advantage over career-flyweight Johnson may have played a factor. Welch last tipped the scales at 195lb for a grappling match in 2020 which is his last known weigh-in and was during competition.
Meanwhile, Johnson made the 135lb limit for bantamweight as recently as 2023, and is likely not a whole lot bigger given his smaller frame.
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After Welch discussed his experience grappling with Johnson, he teased a brief bit of footage of him and O’Malley getting to grips in the cage. That video is, of course, limited, but did show the massive size advantage that the former bantamweight champion has over fighters around his weight.
Welch noted in his commentary that Johnson did around four or five rounds with O’Malley before getting on the pads. ‘Suga’ is deep into camp at this stage, with his fight against Dvalishvili set for June 7 in Newark.
Johnson retired last year after ending his career on top of ONE Championship, but many feel he should still be competing given the level he currently trains at in the gym. However, he declared in the video ‘it ain’t happening.’