Sean O’Malley shocks the world by defeating Aljamain Sterling to claim the UFC bantamweight title. Read about the thrilling fight and Zhang Weili’s successful title defense at UFC 292.
In a stunning upset, Sean O’Malley defeated defending champion Aljamain Sterling to become the new UFC bantamweight titleholder. The fight, which took place at UFC 292, ended just 51 seconds into the second round when O’Malley landed a powerful overhand right that dropped Sterling to the mat. O’Malley wasted no time and continued to pummel Sterling with left hands until the referee stepped in to stop the fight.
O’Malley, hailing from Phoenix, entered the fight as the second-ranked bantamweight and was competing in a five-round bout for the first time in his career. Despite his relative inexperience in longer fights, O’Malley displayed exceptional skill and dominance throughout the match.
Speaking after the fight, O’Malley expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, stating, "The fight played out the way I thought it would. I knew that keeping the fight on my feet would give me the best chance of winning. I’m glad it went according to plan."
Sterling, who had previously defended his title four times, admitted his defeat and acknowledged O’Malley’s skill. He expressed interest in a rematch, saying, "I’d 100% want a rematch. He’s good at what he does, and I believe I can do better. I’d like to run it back."
This victory marks a significant milestone in O’Malley’s career. The 28-year-old fighter first gained recognition in 2017 when he became the champion of the inaugural season of Dana White’s Contender Series. Since then, he has continued to impress with his exceptional fighting abilities.
In addition to his success in the UFC, O’Malley also expressed interest in a potential boxing match against Gervonta Davis, a lightweight boxing champion. While nothing has been confirmed, O’Malley stated, "If it’s big enough, the UFC could definitely get involved. I absolutely want to do it. I want to take on crazy big fights."
In the co-main event of UFC 292, Zhang Weili of China successfully defended her strawweight title against Amanda Lemos of Brazil. Zhang showcased her dominance throughout the fight, keeping Lemos on the mat for the majority of the match. The judges scored the fight unanimously in favor of Zhang, with scores of 50-43, 50-44, and 49-45.
Zhang, who was in her second reign as champion, expressed her dedication to self-improvement, stating, "The only challenge I have is myself, and I strive to be better every day."
Overall, UFC 292 delivered thrilling fights and surprising outcomes. With Sean O’Malley’s impressive victory and Zhang Weili’s successful title defense, the event showcased the incredible talent and skill within the UFC bantamweight and strawweight divisions.
