MIAMI, FLORIDA - MARCH 08: (L-R) Opponents Sean O'Malley and Marlon Vera of Ecuador face off during the UFC 299 ceremonial weigh-in at Kaseya Center on March 08, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
O’Malley Nearly Flawless in First Title Defense
It’s said that you’re not truly the champion until you defend. Whether you subscribe to that theory or not Sean O’Malley is the UFC Bantamweight champion and banked his first defense at UFC 299. Miami is known for the cool neon colors that stand out. “Suga” painted a master peace as bright as the pink & blue cornrows he dawned. O’Malley was disciplined, staying in constant motion, never falling into the trap of exchanging in the pocket with heavy handed challenger, Marlon Vera. At long distance the champion was in his groove picking apart Vera with creative fluent boxing combinations and diligent body work. The heart of a warrior was on display as Vera survived a flush knee to the chin in the second. While he was out skilled, never stopped coming forward. Avenging his first professional loss the score his now even leading many to wonder if the two will cross paths for a decisive third meeting.
Diamonds are forever and while it hasn’t been forever, but the lasting power of Dustin Poirier is more than respectable. Benoit Saint Denis took the fight right at Poirier. The former title challenger threatening guillotines with every Saint Denis takedown. The wind seemingly came out of Saint Denis sales in the second round, Poirier seized the moment a trio of right hand staggering the Frenchman, and then flooring him with a right hook. One more right-hand seals the deal.
The Michael “Venum” Page experience lived up to the hype pointing Kevin Holland. “MVP” was light on his feet while he mixed up his jab-cross blitzes and explosive overhand rights.
Jack Della Maddelena is now firmly planted in title contention after stopping Gilbert Burns in the third round. JDM survived several tenuous moments on the ground turning the tide targeting Burns’ body. A knee to the chin escaping from having his back taken and a follow up right hand from Maddelena puts Burns on his back smashing elbows find the finish.
It wasn’t a turn back the clock performance, but Petr Yan did end his three-fight skid outworking Song Yadong. To the surprise of many it was Yan takedowns that won the decision. The former champion busted open Song in the final seconds of the second and secured the third with a late takedown.
Curtis Blaydes may have punched his way into an interim title fight ending the 15-fight win streak Jailton Almeida with rapid fire hammerfist as Almeida collapsed holding on a single leg. “The Future” may be now for Maycee Barber after winning her sixth in a defeating former title challenger Katlyn Cerminara pressing the action mixing in takedowns winning a unanimous decision.
The calf has become a huge weapon in MMA, and it helped propel Kyler Phillps, who threw everything including the kitchen sink to his third consecutive win. A unanimous decision over Pedro Munhoz that should see Phillips take Munhoz spot in the top 15 rankings. Philipe Lins also incorporated calf kicks as they made the difference in a brawl with Ion Cutelaba. The decision gives Lins four consecutive victories as the former PFL Heavyweight champion knocks on the door of the Light-Heavyweight top 15.
Michel Pereira is in the weight class he’s meant to compete in. Pereira thrashed Mical Oleksiejczuk with a plethora of body shots, jumping on a rear naked choke when he saw the back exposed choking his Polish counterpart to sleep. The 30-year-old Brazilian has won seven in a row including consecutive destructions at 185 lbs. making it likely as racked opponent is in his future.
6’7” Heavyweight Robelis Despaigne lived up to the hype of some who had his last three wins in a combined 19 seconds. Twenty-two fight vet Josh Parisian lasted 18 seconds charging at the Cuban Bronze medalist in Taekwondo, getting crushed by a right hook as Despaigne was moving backwards. The wrestling was on point as Asu Almabaev accumulated nine takedowns to get his second UFC sweeping the scorecards over CJ Vergara.
The night started off with Joanne Wood happily going into retirement after evening the score with Maryna Moroz in a rematch from 2015. Wood survived on her back in the first round and after a close second round took the must have third frame with a spinning backfist that had Moroz in retreat for the final minute.
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