When Sean O’Malley first stepped into the Octagon, it was clear that we were watching a special talent. With his fan-friendly style and memorable personality, it didn’t take long for “Suga” to ascend to the top of the bantamweight division.
Before he defends his bantamweight belt against Merab Dvalishvili on Saturday at UFC 306, we present the eight most impactful moments of his career.
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Sean O’Malley vs. David Nuzzo – LFA 11
The LFA has been home to many who eventually become stars in the UFC. Like Alex Pereira, Derrick Lewis, Holly Holm, and many others, Sean O’Malley’s rise to prominence took him through the feeder league’s cage doors.
In his lone appearance in the promotion, O’Malley was matched against World Series of Fighting vet David Nuzzo. He would make quick work of his opponent with a series of flashy kicks and perfectly timed punches, dropping him multiple times on the way to a first-round KO.
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Sean O’Malley vs. Alfred Khashakyan – Dana White’s Contender Series
After his stunning show in the LFA, expectations were high for O’Malley when he made his way to the TUF gym for the second week of Dana White’s Contender Series. His dance partner for the evening, Alfred Khashakyan, had no intent of being a pushover.
Unfortunately for Khashakyan, his stubborn aggression paved the way for the highlight reel finish fans wanted. After being worn down by flying knees, counter punches, and head kicks, his body finally gave out with less than a minute left in the opening round.
Sean O’Malley vs. Terion Ware – The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale
O’Malley was given a co-main event spot in his UFC debut on the TUF 26 Finale against Terion Ware. Ware would borrow from Alfred Khashakyan’s playbook with constant forward pressure and trying to capitalize on defensive holes O’Malley’s wild offense created.
While he was able to survive to the final bell, Ware would also come up short with that strategy. O’Malley landed at will and proved that he could carry his style over the stretch.
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Sean O’Malley vs. Eddie Wineland – UFC 250
In the pay-per-view opener of UFC 250, Sean O’Malley would face Eddie Wineland, his highest-profile opponent to date. Wineland, who once held the WEC bantamweight title, was a year removed from a KO at UFC 238.
O’Malley would spend the majority of the first two minutes getting a feel for the veteran’s timing and gauging his responses. The moment he downloaded all of the necessary information, the “Suga Show” began. In a matter of 11 seconds, O’Malley landed several strikes and dropped a bomb of a right hand for a walk-off KO.
Sean O’Malley vs. Thomas Almeida – UFC 260
After suffering his first career loss, O’Malley’s durability was rightfully questioned heading into his return at UFC 260. He was matched with Thomas Almeida, a kill-or-be-killed Brazilian who was once the bantamweight division’s most exciting prospect.
Just as the commentary team began discussing O’Malley’s clear pursuit of a spectacular finish hindering his performance, he found the moment he had been looking for nearly four minutes into the final round. A counter left hand put Almeida on the floor leaving him vulnerable to a huge ground-and-pound strike to seal the deal.
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Sean O’Malley vs. Petr Yan – UFC 280
Up until UFC 280, O’Malley was criticized for padding his record with hand-picked opponents who could offer him little in terms of a real challenge in the Octagon. That narrative would end with his main card bout against the recently dethroned former champion Petr Yan.
Over the full 15 minutes, Yan gave O’Malley the type of fight he needed before fans could truly accept him as a top contender. The two traded wild momentum swings and close calls for the duration. While the split decision win was highly debated, no one could deny his place among the top bantamweights in the world.
Sean O’Malley vs. Aljamain Sterling – UFC 292
While he had earned his spot as the top contender in the bantamweight division, many felt that O’Malley’s title opportunity against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292 was an uphill battle. Sterling’s dominant wrestling was believed to be the perfect kryptonite for the challenger’s kickboxing-centered offense early in the second round.
After a slow start in the first frame, Sterling attempted to press the action and paid dearly for it. As the champion rushed in with a punch, O’Malley caught him with a right hand that put him on the canvas. Sterling never got the chance to recover as he ate a flurry of ground strikes until the stoppage.
Sean O’Malley vs. Marlon Vera – UFC 299
After losing by TKO to Marlon Vera at UFC 252, O’Malley repeatedly dismissed the blemish on his record and referred to himself as an undefeated fighter. He would have the chance to symbolically wipe the slate clean in his first title defense when he rematched Vera in the main event of UFC 299.
O’Malley’s performance that evening would push the loss far into the forgotten. In what will likely stand as one of 2024’s most dominant showcases, the champion had his way with his rival. Vera spent 25 minutes absorbing everything but the kitchen sink and only made it to the final bell with his extraordinary toughness.
