“Suga” Sean O’Malley proved he’s part of the bantamweight elite after defeating former champion Petr Yan via split decision at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Next stop is a challenge for the £135 title.
O’Malley (16-1, 1 NC) recovered to cut and hurt Yang with a flying knee in round three. opening round. Rising star O’Malley, 27, got her same judges’ score of 29-28, but the third equaled Yang’s (16-4). CBS Sports also won the Russian-born player 29-28.
“Honestly, I didn’t know. [if I had won the fight]I thought it could have gone either way,” O’Malley said. I had to go to places I’d never been before and that’s what happens when you fight the best man in the world.”
UFC President Dana White announced during Fight Week that the 135-pound tilt will produce the next title challenger. The bout exceeded expectations in terms of action and drama as O’Malley successfully silenced critics who questioned his toughness after losing by TKO to top contender Marlon Vera in 2020 .
Given O’Malley’s commercial appeal and massive following outside the cage, he’s been on the line in the sport’s deepest division after improving to 4-0 (1 NC) since the only defeat in his professional career. I was given the opportunity to cut the
Post-match stats fell sharply in O’Malley’s favor after outperforming Yang 85-76 in total strikes and 69-51 in important strikes. The 29-year-old Yang has outdone his action on the ground, with him completing six of his 13 takedown attempts.
“I was a little surprised [Yan chose to wrestle]O’Malley said.”I’ve had more scars in my fights than I’ve ever had, considering I don’t always get hit. But I was shaken.”
O’Malley, who entered with a 3.5-inch height and 5-inch reach advantage, received a pair of left hooks and a takedown slam from Yang in the tight opening round. However, the former champion, who has worked on a steady diet of calf and body kicks, reacted to being stunned by a left cross in round two, rolling up his left hand haymaker and shaking O’Malley seconds later.
In the final round, O’Malley upped the urgency level as a jumping knee severely cut Yang’s right eye. Yang spent the second half of Round 3 editing more takedowns.
O’Malley took the win, but he looked somewhat torn when asked if he was ready to take a shot at the winner of the title match between Aljamain Sterling and TJ Dillashaw, which took place shortly after the win. I was.
“Honestly, I’d like to see the fight back and then decide. I don’t know,” O’Malley said. “I think people want to see me become bantamweight champion, so let’s give people what they want.”
The loss was heartbreaking for Yang, who has gone 1-3 in his last four fights and was disqualified against Sterling in 2021 to claim the 135-pound title when it looked like he was on his way to victory. lost.
In the end, all three judges scored in O’Malley’s final round. Two of the three also gave O’Malley the opening round to make a split decision.
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