Sean O’Malley came back from a multi-year layoff and looked excellent at UFC 248, finishing Jose Quinonez in the first round.
It’s been more than a minute since last we saw Sean O’Malley inside the UFC octagon. That all changed Saturday night, however, as “The Sugar Show” got rolling once again. At UFC 248, O’Malley returned from two years on the sidelines, due to injury and USADA issues, to face Jose Quinonez.
O’Malley was a promising young contender when he came into the UFC by way of the Contender Series in 2017. He remained so to start 2020, still just 25 years old. Quinonez, mind you, was perhaps being criminally overlooked by media and fans. The Mexican bantamweight had won five of his last six fights with a submission finish in the mix. The one loss came to rising British prospect Nathaniel Wood.
Sean O’Malley started with a lead leg side kick and a front kick to the body that seated Jose Quinonez. O’Malley continued his kicks while Quinonez pressed forward. Quinonez was caught with a right then a high kick. An uppercut followed, then he was thrown to the ground by O’Malley. O’Malley followed him down with hammerfists and the referee dove in to stop the fight.
O’Malley was speechless afterward, nearly overcome with emotion. He stated that this is the Sugar Show 2.0 and that he has much more to show off in the future. It was a heck of a way to remind everyone why he is so hyped up.
Sean O’Malley def. Jose Quinonez by TKO (Punches) in Round 1 (2:02)
