Sean O’Malley defeated Marlon “Chito” Vera by way of unanimous resolution to retain the bantamweight belt at UFC 299 on Saturday in Miami. It was his first profession title protection.
The judges scored the struggle as 50-45, 50-45, 50-44 in favor of O’Malley. All three judges gave O’Malley each spherical on the scorecards.
It was a masterclass of precision and footwork from O’Malley. He dominated the struggle from the beginning. O’Malley’s superior size and velocity had been on full show, selecting Vera aside from vary for all 5 rounds. O’Malley landed a seemingly countless quantity of straight rights to the face and added good bodywork, too. He additionally practically ended the bout early with a vicious knee to Vera’s head within the second.
After the struggle, O’Malley stated that he needs to struggle present UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria subsequent in Spain.
“Dana, get me a jet to Spain,” O’Malley stated. “I’m coming for Ilia Topuria.”
Eyes on Spain 👀@SugaSeanMMA already has a struggle in thoughts after his bantamweight title protection! #UFC299 pic.twitter.com/G6sNCmCEoJ
— UFC (@ufc) March 10, 2024
O’Malley improved to 18-1-1 and avenged the one lack of his profession to Vera in August 2020. The primary outcome was controversial as O’Malley injured his leg early within the struggle. After falling to the mat within the second spherical, Vera pounced for ground-and-pound, ending it early.
Vera (23-9-1) has misplaced two of his final three fights.
THE DIAMOND GETS THE KO IN ROUND 2 😤#UFC299 | @DustinPoirier pic.twitter.com/DouV3eQeKD
— UFC (@ufc) March 10, 2024
Within the co-main occasion, veteran light-weight Dustin Poirier defeated Benoît Saint Denis by way of knockout within the second spherical. The fan favourite (30-8) has now break up his final 4 fights with wins over Saint Denis and Michael Chandler and losses to Justin Gaethje and Charles Oliveira.
“I used to be getting beat up for a bit of bit,” Poirier stated after the struggle. “I acquired him in the long run.”
The win strikes Poirier right into a tie for fourth in all-time UFC wins (22). Saint Denis, of France, is now 13-2-1. It was his first loss since October 2021.
(Picture: Paul Rutherford / Getty Pictures)
