Clancy Jr. On Why He Delayed Balletto Finish

Sean Clancy Jr. said he could have ended his Dana White's Contender Series fight earlier than he did.

The unbeaten welterweight stopped Gary Balletto Jr. in the second round at DWCS Week 3 on Tuesday, earning a UFC contract with a ground-and-pound finish. According to Sherdog, Clancy Jr. told reporters afterward that he intentionally spent time on the feet in the opening frame to build experience before switching to his grappling.

Clancy Jr. Describes The Elbow That Opened The Cut

"I remember being so present; it just, as soon as I put it down, I just felt his face just get crushed in between my elbow and the mat," Clancy Jr. said in his post-fight interview. "It was phenomenal. Just split wide open."

The 23-year-old said he chose to test himself in Balletto Jr.'s strongest area before imposing his wrestling game. "That's where he's good, so I chose to spend a little bit of time there with him and just see, just rack up experience and stuff, you know?" he added. "But I did in the second round, I can do that to absolutely anyone."

Clancy Jr., a former Cage Warriors interim welterweight champion, improved to 9-0 with his ninth career stoppage. He is expected to make his official UFC debut later this year.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Sean Clancy Jr. explains why he waited until Round 2 to finish Gary Balletto Jr.