Australia fighter George Mangos tipped for greatness, preview, video

Only seconds before landing the headkick that changed his life, George Mangos nodded.

Although not because the Sydneysider understood everything coming.

How could he?

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No, instead, as he moved around inside that steel cage, throwing down for a HEX featherweight title, Mangos nodded as a way of simply acknowledging what he’d seen after throwing a right cross.

“My rival,” the fighter recounts, “dipping his head”.

Which again, isn’t simply the moment that changed a fight, or even a life, but Australia’s entire MMA landscape.

Understanding that at age 21, Mangos isn’t just our greatest UFC prospect right now, but maybe ever.

Which is no small thing considering our list of Octagon kings now reads Bobby Knuckles, Volk and JDM – the latter two of whom are still defending UFC gold.

Yet apart from being on an unbeaten tear of seven straight, or boasting a similar amateur run, Mangos also owns a chaotic finish rate of 100 per cent – which exists online in a swirl of punches, chokes, and flying triangles.

That, and maybe the most important headkick in Aussie MMA history.

Which is some claim considering what happened to Rhonda Rousey back in 2015.

But in Mangos … well, people are tipping this kid for greatness.

George Mangos lands stunning kick KO Source: FOX SPORTS

With his story also set to take a major upswing this Wednesday in Las Vegas, when the Sydneysider makes his hyped walk in the latest season opener for Dana White’s Contender Series.

Which may not be the biggest UFC headline of this week.

Or not when UFC middleweight king Dricus du Plessis – having twice defended gold Down Under – is now looking to continue his most unlikely of title reigns in Sunday’s UFC 319 blockbuster.

While in the co-main of that same Chicago card, two of the biggest contenders for Alexander Volkanovski’s UFC featherweight title – Aaron Pico and Lerone Murphy – also throw down.

Yet among all this, in Aussie fighting terms at least, Mangos could still be the yarn.

Up against hyped Canadian prospect Radley Da Silva, Mangos is effectively being asked to earn his UFC contract in the toughest of ways.

Understanding Da Silva isn’t only himself on a run of seven straight, but boasting the type of resume that has many wondering why the BFL champ hasn’t simply been allowed bypass the DWCS proving ground entirely.

“But I don’t want to get signed off beating a nobody,” Mangos tells Fox Sports Australia in fight week.

“I want somebody game.

“Somebody who is UFC calibre.

“And Da Silva is perfect for that.”

So as for how quickly, after winning Wednesday, this Aussie prodigy plans to make his name in a featherweight division still ruled over by our own Volkanovaski?

“I think I can go to the top quickly,” Mangos continues.

“Right now, I see a real passing of the torch among UFC featherweights.

“Already, Volk has said he’s only got a few fights left.

“And then with Ilia Topuria having moved up, same as Max Holloway, there really is room for a new star.

“So give me a couple of fights and I’ll be up there.

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“You look at my run on the local scene, I’ve only really been a pro for two years.

“I think people will actually be surprised.”

Importantly, Mangos also represents something of a new age in Australian MMA.

While most of our current stars only came to fighting in their teens – and often after initially looking to make it in a football code – Mangos has been training MMA since the age of eight.

So as for being OK with the tag of Australia’s Next Big Thing?

“Definitely,” he grins.

“Right now, there’s barely anyone in the world my age doing what I am.

“I’m 21.

“Boast a 100 per cent finish rate.

“Among guys not yet signed to the UFC … yeah, I think I’m the best one.”

And for proof, Google that headkick so beautiful it could be hung in the Louvre.

When back in 2024, Mangos was less than 90 seconds into his Hex title defence against Japan’s Shoichi Tomita and – thwack – he landed that most vicious of martial artworks.

“One thing I’m good at – along with doing lots of study – is having vision in my fights,” Mangos explains when asked to relive the moment this week.

“Early in that first round, when I threw a right cross, he dipped his head really hard.

“And if you look closely, you can see me nod my head.

“I was ‘alright, next time I throw that cross a head kick’s coming behind it’ …”

Which is exactly what happened, right?

“Yeah, set it up,” he grins.

“And once I made that read early in the fight, it didn’t take long to land it.

“I threw that right cross again, although not with any intention to land, just to hide the kick – which then landed flush …”

Which felt like what?

“Well, I knew it was over,” he says. “There was no way he was recovering from that.”

At which point in the film, Mangos then cooly turns and walking away, reviving the memory of UFC heavyweight legend Mark Hunt’s signature finishes.

“Anyone who likes fighting likes those Mark Hunt walk off KOs for sure,” the Sydneysider continues.

“It’s the best way to do it, too.

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“You land one shot, you know he’s out … it looks the best if you just walk off after.”

Undeniably, it was also this head kick that not only caught the eye of UFC officialdom, but essentially fast-tracked him to this week’s DWCS debut.

“Definitely,” the fighter agrees.

“It’s no secret that every time I fight, I’m not just trying to win -- I’m trying to be exciting.

“And I think that’s a big reason why I’m here with this opportunity now.

“There are guys with double the fights I’ve got who aren’t getting signed by the UFC.

“But again, every time I step out on the local scene I’m looking to do more than just get the win.

“And that head kick especially, it was after that fight the UFC showed interest.

“It’s definitely done a lot for me”.

So as for eventually claiming that UFC strap now held twice by Volkanovski?

“Volk has done what I’m setting out to do,” Mangos says.

“And to see him get there from a gym where, initially, there were also no other UFC fighters, it just shows it can be done.

“Especially given I started so young, too.

“Volk only really started fighting around my age now.

“So I reckon I can do it even quicker and better.”

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