UFC 280: Sean O’Malley bloodies Petr Yan with vicious knee to thrust himself into BW title contention with decision win
SEAN O’MALLEY is on course for superstardom following a brutal victory over Petr Yan.
The Dana White’s Contenders Series alumni locked horns with the former bantamweight king on a stacked UFC 280 card in Abu Dhabi.
Sean O’Malley locked horns with Petr Yan on a stacked UFC 280 cardGETTY
REUTERSYan was at his usual best in Abu Dhabi[/caption]
O’Malley landed a big knee flush on the head of YanGETTY
The knee left former champion Yan a bloody messGETTY
Many MMA fans thought the No.11-ranked O’Malley‘s clash with the Russian wrecking machine had come too early in his career.
But they were ultimately proven wrong as he scored a highlight reel stoppage of No Mercy to thrust himself into title contention with a split-decision victory.
And the American has now set his sights on the bantamweight throne.
He said: “I think people want to see me fight for the bantamweight title. So let’s give the people what they want.”
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Both men began the counter with a number of feints to try to get a read on one another.
But Yan soon began pressing to negate the American’s reach advantage.
The former champion found a home for a good body kick but ended up eating two straight right hands a few moments later.
Yan changed tact midway through the round with a takedown but was initially shrugged off.
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Two consecutive left hooks after a knee stomp from Yan paved the way for a big takedown for Yan.
O’Malley managed to get back to his feet and managed to land a takedown of his own before the buzzer went.
Yan opened the second round wuth a hard body kick, which he used to kick start the pressure on O’Malley
But he was soon rocked by a big overhand left – although he returned the favour a matter of moments later before taking the fight to the ground.
The Russian managed to land a series of strikes in full guard but was unable to keep O’Malley on his back.
O’Malley managed to return to his feet but was grounded again by a beautiful Muay Thai sweep.
Suga managed to find his range with his long jab that frustrated Yan – who began missing with telegraphed shots before the end of the round.
REUTERSSean O’Malley eats a big left hand from Petr Yan[/caption]
AFPSean O’Malley celebrates his UFC 280 victory over Petr Yan[/caption]
O’Malley tried to stay long early doors in the third and final round and looked to pepper Yan with his jab.
The Arizonan landed the best strike of the fight – a nasty knee – midway through the round and cut Yan.
That didn’t deter the former champ, who rocked O’Malley with a big right hand.
Yan looked to bring the fight to the ground once again and landed a prolonged double-leg. O’Malley, however, managed to return to his feet.
A huge left hook from Yan drew a massive pop from the crowd – who were loving what they saw.
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Yan appeared to be on course for a decision win after securing yet another sweep and landing punches from full guard.
But the judges ultimately preferred the work of O’Malley, with two of them scoring it 29-28 in his favour.
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