With UFC 306 just a few days away, it's a perfect time to re-visit Sean O'Malley's best moments in the UFC. "Suga" has racked up a fair share of Conor McGregor-esque superstar moments en route to becoming the UFC bantamweight champ, but we'll pare it down to just a few shining accomplishments.
Here are Sean O'Malley's best moments ahead of his UFC title fight vs Merab Dvalishvili at The Sphere on September 14:
"O'Malley! O'Malley" Debuts On The Contender Series
Never short on confidence, O'Malley debuted on the first season of Dana White's Contender Series at 23 years old. Years before his crazy tattoos and rainbow hair, the young bantamweight still knew how to put on a show. After an up-and-down first round, O'Malley uncorked a heavy overhand right to score the first-round KO and receive an official UFC contract in 2017.
Guest commentator Snoop Dogg loved the display, repeatedly chanting "O'Malley" as Dana White paced around the room, excited by the future star.
A Walk-Off KO
As O'Malley climbed the ranks, he flexed his striking prowess at every opportunity. Still, folks doubted his power, as the lanky prospect faced concerns about durability. Suga showed he was leagues above his unranked opponents at UFC 250 in 2020.
O'Malley came out hot, swinging, switching stances, and firing spinning kicks. The finishing blow came when O'Malley baited his opponent, veteran Eddie Wineland, with a fake uppercut and then blasted him with the overhand for a walk-off knockout. And that would just be the beginning of O'Malley's UFC highlight reel.
An Upset In Abu Dhabi
O'Malley deserved a step up in competition, but few fight fans gave him much of a chance against former champ Petr Yan when the duo matched up at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi in 2022. Sean closed as a +230 underdog against Yan, who was, at the time, considered one of the soundest fighters on the roster.
The fight was fantastic. Both fighters landed significant shots, scored their own takedowns, and secured a Fight of the Night bonus. When all was said and done, O'Malley won the fight by a narrow split decision, positioning him for a title shot a year later.
A Beatdown in Beantown
O'Malley closed as a +200 underdog ahead of his UFC bantamweight title fight against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292 in Boston. With the crowd on his side, O'Malley trudged through a cautious Round 1 before ramping it up in Round 2.
With his opponent at a distance, O'Malley unloaded a perfect straight punch as he reeled backward, folding Sterling to the canvas and leading to the finishing sequence. The knockout played out eerily similar to Conor McGregor's KO of Jose Aldo at UFC 194, furthering comparisons between O'Malley and "Mystic Mac" and cementing O'Malley as arguably the UFC's brightest star.
