MIAMI — Sean O’Malley, who had previously suffered his only career defeat against Marlon “Chito” Vera, has now redeemed himself, solidifying his position as the UFC’s next rising star.
In a flashy display of striking prowess, O’Malley emerged victorious over Vera in the headline bout of UFC 299 on Saturday night. Sporting blue and pink cornrows along with custom pink fight shorts, O’Malley secured a unanimous decision victory (50-45, 50-45, 50-44), marking his first successful defense of the UFC bantamweight title.
Throughout the fight, O’Malley showcased impressive combinations and footwork. He consistently landed precise left hands and powerful right crosses, keeping Vera on the defensive. A devastating right knee from O’Malley in the second round inflicted significant damage, causing a cut below Vera’s right eye. In the third round, O’Malley further asserted his dominance by sending Vera to the canvas with a powerful right hand.
Before the highly anticipated main event, Dustin Poirier solidified his position in the lightweight division by delivering a knockout victory over rising prospect Benoit Saint-Denis in the second round. Additionally, Michael “Venom” Page made a successful UFC debut with a decision win over Kevin Holland, Jack Della Maddalena secured a knockout victory over Gilbert Burns, and Petr Yan surged in the final two rounds to deny Song Yadong a top ranking.