By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher
Bantamweight star Sean O’Malley picked up the biggest win of his career thus far. He defeated Petr Yan at UFC 280 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Both fighters went the distance. However, O’Malley won on the judges’ cards via a split decision.
The judges’ scores were 29-28, 28-29, and 29-28. Judges Ben Cartlidge and David Lethaby had the win for O’Malley.
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However, Vito Paolillo had the win for Yan.
O’Malley has now gone 4-0-1 in his last five bouts. The decision win was the fourth in his career.
It was his first decision win since he defeated Andre Soukhamthath by unanimous decision at UFC 222 on March 3rd, 2018 in Las Vegas.
There was definitely controversy in this fight. Yan was the dominant fighter.
He had six takedowns on O’Malley. Plus, he had close to six minutes of control time.
“Worst robbery [in] UFC history,” former UFC Champion Henry Cejudo said in a tweet. “I hope our sport doesn’t become boxing @danawhite”
The Russian has dropped three of his last four fights, as he fell to 16-3 in his MMA career. This streak began when he was disqualified due to an illegal knee at UFC 259 to Aljamain Sterling in Las Vegas.
Yan also lost the rematch with Sterling before losing to O’Malley. His only win during this time came to Cory Sandhagen by unanimous decision at UFC 267 in Abu Dhabi.
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His last two defeats have come by split decisions.
O’Malley, who fights out of Phoenix, Arizona, is 16-1 in his MMA career. He will try to get a title fight from UFC President Dana White now with this big win.
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