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The Suga Show was renewed for one more season at the top of the bantamweight division with Sean O’Malley defeating Marlon “Chito” Vera by unanimous decision in the main event of UFC 299 from the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.
O’Malley got off to a calculated start in the first round. The first fight between the two didn’t make it past the first five minutes, but this time O’Malley controlled the fight with a measured effort in the first frame.
Suga started to open things up in the second round. A knee and several one-two combinations highlighted his efforts in the round. O’Malley’s speed advantage was obvious and Vera struggled to respond before her opponent moved out of range.
Three rounds in it became clear that the challenger was going to need a knockout to win the fight. O’Malley dominated the first three rounds of the fight and gained an advantage on the scorecards heading into the championship rounds.
Vera did show signs of life in the fourth round. A more aggressive challenger threw and landed some combinations and made sure to be the first to shoot in the exchanges. Still, O’Malley also ended up having a lot of success in the round.
In the end, Vera was able to avoid being finished in the fifth round and showed the durability he is known for. However, the night focused on O’Malley’s dominance and his ability to win the fight in five rounds.
The victory not only gives O’Malley his first successful title defense, but also avenges the only loss of his career. Vera defeated O’Malley with a first-round TKO just five fights into the champion’s UFC career.
The defeat only temporarily derailed his hype train. O’Malley’s flashy, flashy and loud personality has always attracted attention. Now his skills have taken him to the top of the division.
O’Malley is showing the skills that could keep him on top for a while. Watching him beat the only man who has beaten him so far shows the growth he has experienced in his game. However, the bantamweight division has multiple worthy challengers.
One to keep an eye on in the near future is Merab Dvalishvili. The 33-year-old has put together a 10-match winning streak and was present as the backup fighter for Saturday’s main event.
He recently beat Henry Cejudo by unanimous decision, recovering from some early struggles to dominate the rest of the fight. O’Malley recently gave him props for the effort.
“He also had a great performance,” O’Malley said of Dvalishvili’s victory, according to Marc Raimondi from ESPN. “Henry didn’t look great by any means, but Merab did what he does. He almost got knocked out and then he won. It was impressive. He could very well be next. I like to keep my options open. He could be (next).” “
Cory Sandhagen could also make sense. He is on a three-fight winning streak with a win over Vera and Rob Font, but hasn’t fought since he tore his triceps in the Font fight in August.