Sean O’Malley defies the odds and takes out the #1 Bantamweight Petr Yan via split decision at UFC 280.
Round One
A patient Petr Yan stalks O’Malley as Sean circles the octagon. Both men land but nothing too impactful and neither pulls away on their feet. Constant stance switching is utilised by both. After the midway point, Yan decides to shoot and gets the takedown. The round ends with Sean landing a takedown.
Round Two
The second starts wildly. Sean lands a huge right hand and seems to have Petr hurt. As O’Malley tries to force the finish, Yan delivers his own right. This drops Sean and Petr has top control. After the wild two-minute start Sean gets back to his feet, but Yan is controlling against the cage.
Back in the open Yan lands the trip he used in his first Aljamain Sterling fight. Sean gets right back up and brings to throw. Yan uses a flurry of strikes to enter on a takedown which he secures with a minute remaining. He rides the round out in top control as O’Malley attempts to regain his feet.
Round Three
Starting like the first two it takes a turn three minutes in. Sean O’Malley lands some nice combinations and a knee, opening Petr Yan up. Seeing he was having success, he flurries Yan who counters well. With the pressure on him, Petr lands a great takedown to alleviate this.
Sean gets back up and lands some nice strikes. The round ends with Yan in control. Sean O’Malley wins the fight via split decision. In a close competitive fight, Sean’s striking won him the fight. His ability to land at range paid dividends.
What’s Next Sean O’Malley?
Proving he can hang with the very best he just be the #1 Bantamweight in the world. With a title fight later in the night the winner of that fight could be next. If it isn’t there is still a whole host of top Bantamweights O’Malley can test himself against next.
Shocking the world with a victory, the Suga Show goes on.
What is next for Sean O’Malley?
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
