DellaGrotte backs Egan for big future

MMA trainer Mark DellaGrotte believes 20-year-old fighter Tom Egan can become a ‘top-level 155-pounder’.

DellaGrotta believes Egan, who he has taken under his wing, has what it takes to compete at the top level in the UFC.

Egan lost his UFC debut to John Hathaway.

“Between the first fight he had in my gym and the last fight just recently, I have seen a huge difference in the space of two weeks in Tom Egan," DellaGrotte told Setanta Sports.

“Nobody wants to go to a new gym and try to be the hero and try to be the tough guy. Tom was humble, very willing to learn, it took a couple of weeks to fully open up but he is showing his true self now – that’s for sure.

“Between the first time he was here and the last time, it’s like night and day.

“The biggest thing Tom lacks is experience. It’s not like you look at him and say he needs to work one thing – he just needs experience. He needs to be around good training partners, good coaches, and he just needs time.

"But I don’t see any significant holes in his game. He’s very well-rounded and he is only going to get better.

“He has an absolutely chance of making it. I’ll be honest, like I am with Tom, the US has most of the top fighters and top coaches. We’ve taken the sport by storm. But the longer Tom works with top level guys he will develop further and faster and in my opinion he is right up there with all the top-level guys at 155."

Tags: UFC