The Suga Present acquired renewed for one more season atop the bantamweight division with Sean O’Malley beating Marlon “Chito” Vera by unanimous determination in the primary occasion of UFC 299 from the Kaseya Heart in Miami, Florida.
O’Malley acquired off to a calculated begin within the first spherical. The primary struggle between the 2 did not get previous the primary 5 minutes, however O’Malley managed the struggle with a measured effort within the first body this time round.
Suga began opening issues up within the second spherical. A flush knee and a number of other one-two mixtures highlighted his efforts within the spherical. O’Malley’s velocity benefit was apparent and Vera struggled to fireside again earlier than his opponent left vary.
Three rounds in it turned clear the challenger was going to want a knockout to win the struggle. O’Malley dominated the primary three rounds of the bout and banked a lead on the scorecards going into the championship rounds.
Vera did present indicators of life within the fourth spherical. A extra aggressive challenger threw and landed some mixtures and made certain he was the primary one to fireside within the exchanges. Nonetheless, O’Malley wound up having rather a lot success within the spherical too.
Finally, Vera was capable of keep away from getting completed within the fifth spherical and showcased the sturdiness he is come to be identified for. Nevertheless, the evening was about O’Malley’s dominance and talent to win the struggle by means of 5 rounds.
The win not solely offers O’Malley his first profitable title protection however avenges the one lack of his profession. Vera beat O’Malley with a first-round TKO simply 5 fights into the champion’s UFC profession.
The loss solely briefly derailed his hype prepare. O’Malley’s flashy putting and loud persona have all the time drawn consideration. Now his expertise have taken him to the highest of the division.
O’Malley is showcasing the abilities that might preserve him on the high for some time. Watching him beat the one man who has beat him so far reveals the expansion he is skilled in his recreation. The bantamweight division has a number of worthy challengers, although.
One to regulate within the close to future is Merab Dvalishvili. The 33-year-old has put collectively a 10-fight win streak and he was readily available because the backup fighter for the primary occasion on Saturday.
He most just lately beat Henry Cejudo by unanimous determination, recovering from some early struggles to dominate the remainder of the struggle. O’Malley just lately gave him props for the hassle.
“He had a terrific efficiency too,” O’Malley mentioned of Dvalishvili’s win, per Marc Raimondi of ESPN. “Henry did not look nice by any means, however Merab did what he does. He nearly will get knocked out after which wins. It was spectacular. Very properly might be subsequent. I like having my choices open. He might be [next.]”
Cory Sandhagen might make some sense too. He’s on a three-fight win streak with a win over Vera and Rob Font however hasn’t fought since tearing his tricep within the bout towards Font in August.