Mentally, Sean O’Malley claimed to be an undefeated, 12-0 fighter ahead of UFC 260. He’d been consistent and steadfast in his belief that his loss to Chito Vera last year was not truly a loss. Rather, the result of a fluke injury. Of course, the record books say otherwise — but in MMA, you’re only as good as your last fight. On Saturday at UFC 260, the “Sugar Show” star had a chance to get back in the win column against the slumping but dangerous Thomas Almeida.
O’Malley went right to work off the opening bell on Saturday. Kicks, left hands, feints. O’Malley switched stands, taking away some of the danger of Almeida’s leg kicks. O’Malley fired off a spinning back kick that connected; after retreating, Almeida rushed forward, looking to land. O’Malley then landed a head kick, rocking Almeida. A follow-up left hand put him down, as O’Malley lifted his arms in victory, walking off — despite the ref allowing the fight to continue. O’Malley would reengage, but the mistake allowed Almeida to recover. Almedia would eat another head kick late in the round, but this time, it was at least partially blocked.
SEAN TRIED THE WALK OFF BUT IT'S NOT OVER 🤯 #UFC260 pic.twitter.com/nJtVxGOqN8
— UFC (@ufc) March 28, 2021
Was Almeida compromised heading into round two? If he was, he wasn’t showing it. O’Malley hit the lower leg hard with a kick. Almeida would land a few of his own. O’Malley’s side kicks, which he had opened the fight with, returned. He mixed up his attacks and gave Almeida all sorts of different looks. When Almeida launched his own attacks, O’Malley was frankly nowhere to be found. Late in the round, O’Malley would slip off a jump knee. But after nearly finishing the fight in the opening round, he was heading to a third.
Again in the third, O’Malley was a case study in movement. He also connected with a side kick to the leg of Almeida, which seemed to buckle it. And just when it seemed like O’Malley was headed to a decision, he dropped Almeida. Again, the “Sugar Show” thought the show was over. Almeida was more or less flailing on the ground. O’Malley was ready to walk off again, but the ref didn’t call it. In the end, Sean O’Malley almost casually walked over and landed a bomb to Almeida, who was laying flat on his back. Probably unnecessary, definitely undefended, though not the fault of O’Malley.
THE SUGAR SHOW 🗣
📺 @SugaSeanMMA adds another highlight to the reel! #UFC260 pic.twitter.com/vbX1aWPzse
— UFC (@ufc) March 28, 2021
With that finish, or finishes, the loss to Chito Vera will no doubt seem like ancient history.
Official Result: Sean O’Malley def. Thomas Almeida by knockout, Round 3, 3:52
