Kicking off the main card at UFC 264 was Sean O’Malley — in a fight rather different than originally advertised.
O’Malley was expected to face Louis Smolka at the event, topped by the rubber match between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier. But with Smolka forced out due to injury, CES veteran Kris Moutinho stepped up on just a few day’s notice to try his hand on the “Sugar Show.”
Moutinho came out aggressive right out of the gate. O’Malley was chipping away at the lead leg and throwing a teep kick to the midsection. He was simply picking away at Moutinho landing with some big punches. Moutinho continued to walk forward though. O’Malley hurt Moutinho at one point in the round and unloaded with some big combinations. Moutinho took every shot and still came forward and attacked the leg of O’Malley. Moutinho brought non-stop pressure but a straight right dropped him and O’Malley jumped on a guillotine at the bell.
These exchanges 😳 #UFC264 pic.twitter.com/oJhygs274y
— UFC (@ufc) July 11, 2021
More teep kicks, leg kicks, and then a pumping the jab from O’Malley started round two. Moutinho continued to press forward but the footwork and counter ability from O’Malley was leading the dance. O’Malley, even fighting off his back foot, was landing far more shots. Moutinho stayed in the face of O’Malley to end the round. Even though Moutinho was behind, was making O’Malley work.
Landed right on the head 🎯@SugaSeanMMA isn't holding back in RD 2.
[ #UFC264 | Were Live on E+ PPV: https://t.co/DZxtGSEqWu ] pic.twitter.com/sTjHWm0KEo
— UFC (@ufc) July 11, 2021
Round three saw Moutinho get right after, it pressing O’Malley back and trying to find that fight-ending shot. O’Malley was landing his jab and the teep kick over and over to maintain the pace. Moutinho, with a busted up face, hurt body, and damaged legs never stopped marching forward. Both men picked it up in the last minute landing a lot of output. Mountinho was doing well but O’Malley was slipping and ripping with brutal combinations. Moutinho was still very well in it, but O’Malley was teeing off. Ref Herb Dean then stopped the fight with seconds left in a very questionable stoppage. The call was made based on accumulated damage, but Moutinho, despite being behind, never stopped fighting or defending himself.
With only 23 seconds left! ⏱@SugaSeanMMA gets the finish at #UFC264. pic.twitter.com/om5HzIqhG9
— UFC (@ufc) July 11, 2021
Official Result: Sean O’Malley def. Kris Moutinho by TKO (Strikes), Round 3, 4:33
