For what feels like years now, Sean O’Malley has been telling us he’s a star. After his lopsided decision win in the main event of UFC 299 on Saturday night, it feels like people might be ready to believe him.
O’Malley didn’t just beat Marlon Vera in his first title defense as UFC bantamweight champion — he outclassed him. He picked Vera apart with speed and precision, testing every ounce of the toughness Vera is known for while also proving his own when required late in the fight.
Anyone who was thinking his title-winning performance against Aljamain Sterling last year was a fluke now has to admit that O’Malley is the champ for a very good reason.