Sean O’Malley Avenges Sole Career Loss with Victory Over Marlon Vera at UFC 299

In a thrilling main event at UFC 299 on March 9, rising star Sean O’Malley of the United States secured a unanimous decision victory over Ecuador’s Marlon Vera at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. The judges scored the bout 50-45, 50-45, and 50-44 in favor of O’Malley.

With this win, O’Malley not only defended his bantamweight title for the first time but also avenged the only loss of his professional career to date, which came at the hands of Vera in 2020. The fight showcased O’Malley’s striking prowess and his growth as a fighter since their last encounter.

“I felt something in his face break,” O’Malley said after the fight. “I don’t know if it was his nose or cheek. I felt something snap.”

According to ESPN, O’Malley landed an impressive 230 significant strikes over five rounds—the third-highest number in a single title bout in UFC history and the most ever in a bantamweight title fight. Early in the second round, O’Malley connected with a right knee that caused a cut below Vera’s right eye. In the third round, he continued to dominate by landing a powerful right hand that kept Vera on the defensive.

Vera, who landed 89 significant strikes, remained resilient throughout the fight but ultimately couldn’t overcome O’Malley’s offensive onslaught. “I’ll be back,” Vera stated confidently. “I’ll be champion one day.”

The victory cements O’Malley’s status as one of the premier fighters in the bantamweight division and a rising star in the UFC. Fans around the world will be eager to see what’s next for the dynamic champion as he continues his ascent in the sport.

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UFC rising star O'Malley gets revenge on Vera for his only career loss to date

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