Sean O'Malley beats Marlon Vera by a margin and defends bantamweight belt at UFC 299

In a rematch with the only athlete to surpass him in professional MMA, Sean O'Malley made the 'settling of accounts' seem easy UFC 299. Protagonist of the event held this Saturday (9), in Miami (USA), the bantamweight champion (up to 61,2kg.) controlled Marlon Vera in the five rounds played and had few concerns throughout the 25 minutes of confrontation. With the end of the fight, the North American was declared the winner with a unanimous decision by the judges.

Overcome in 2020, O'Malley got his revenge in style. The challenge represented the fighter's first title defense.

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In an interview in the octagon after the positive result, Sean outlined his next step. In a loud and clear tone, the North American challenged Ilia Topuria, recently crowned in featherweight (up to 65,7kg.).

Overcome in his first title fight as a UFC representative, Vera did not repeat the good performance that led to his victory over O'Malley almost four years ago.

Champion's Monologue

The fight began with the fighters exchanging low kicks in the center of the octagon. O'Malley was betting on long-range attacks and Vera was waiting for the moment to enter the champion's range of action. Sean was patient and avoided outright confrontation. The North American launched specific attacks, while the Ecuadorian was more discreet in combat. In the final minute, O'Malley began attacking his opponent with direct shots, but Marlon did not blame his actions.

Sean O'Malley (left) in rematch with Marlon Vera (dir.) in UFC 299. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

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In the second round, Sean maintained the strategy of betting on long-range attacks. Vera continued to have difficulty minimizing the disadvantage in her size and continued to be unable to 'find' her opponent. The champion was more active and controlled the confrontation, not giving the challenger a chance. Near the final minute, Sean shook his rival with a knee to the head. Marlon tried to resist, but the American 'hunted' his opponent around the Octagon. O'Malley pressed and looked for an end to the fight, while Vera was apathetic in the dispute. Almost at the end, a straight shot from the Ecuadorian forced the champion to stop his momentum. In the final seconds, Marlon bent his knees with a clean right to the face applied by the American, but there was no more time.

The third round started with Vera trying to free himself, throwing low kicks at the champion. O'Malley once again adopted patience as a strategy and attacked from long distance. Sean impressed with his precision in his strikes and frustrated the Ecuadorian with jabs and clean rights to the face. In the final minute, O'Malley rocked his opponent with a jab. Despite the disadvantage, Marlon showed courage and did not let up in the confrontation.

In the fourth round, Vera adopted an aggressive stance in the opening seconds. The Ecuadorian attacked the champion and tried to surprise him with a flying knee. Sean didn't get flustered and bet on counterattacks. With just over a minute gone, Marlon cornered the American close to the bars and threw another flying knee that touched and scared his opponent. Vera was at her best in the fight and began connecting sequences of jabs and straight shots. Even though he saw his opponent getting worse, Sean didn't stop striking and continued attacking.

The last stage began with O'Malley scoring with jabs. Still in the first minute, a direct shot from the champion rocked the Ecuadorian. Vera walked backwards and tried to recover from the shock. Sean noticed the good moment and combined attacks, combining punches and kicks. Sean's movement frustrated Marlon, who wasted attacks in vain. In the final seconds, Marlon went for 'all or nothing'. The fighters rehearsed a frank exchange in the center of the octagon and got the audience excited.

UFC 299 results

MAIN CARD

Bantam weight (up to 61,2 kg): Sean O'Malley derrotou Marlon Vera in the unanimous decision of the judges (50-45, 50-45, 50-44) – fight for the belt

Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Dustin poirier derrotou Benoit Saint-Denis by knockout at 2m32s of R2

Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Michael Page derrotou Kevin holland in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Jack Della Maddalena derrotou Gilbert Durinho by knockout at 3m43s of R3

Bantam weight (up to 61,2 kg): Petr yan derrotou song yadong in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28- 29-28)

PRELIMINARY CARD 

Heavy weight (up to 120,2 kg): Curtis blaydes derrotou Jailton Malhadinho by technical knockout at 36s of R2

Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Maycee barber derrotou Katlyn Cerminara in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27- 30-27, 29-28)

Light weight (up to 70,3 kg): Mateusz gamrot derrotou Rafael dos Anjos in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Bantam weight (up to 61,2 kg): Kyler Phillips derrotou Peter Munhoz in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Light heavyweight (up to 93 kg): Philip Lins derrotou Ion cutelaba in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Average weight (up to 83,9 kg): Michael Pereira finished Michal Oleksiejczuk with a rear naked choke at 1m01s of R1

Heavy weights (up to 120,2 kg): Robelis Despaigne derrotou Josh Parisian by knockout 18s into R1

Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Asu Almabaev derrotou CJ Vergara in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Joanne Wood derrotou Maryna moroz in the judges' split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

UFC 299 Stats

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