After a superstar performance at UFC 299 Sean O’Malley has been enjoying the spoils of victory from his first title defence. However, in defeat, Marlon Vera has chucked out an excuse for his underwhelming display.
After the resounding defeat Vera had the tough pill to swallow as the rivalry with O’Malley has been long standing. The defeat is damning for the Ecuadorian and another title shot looks far in the distance after that level of performance. Fellow bantamweight Cory Sandhagen had some particularly harsh words to say. It was on X that Vera threw the accusation at O’Malley.
Sean O’Malley Bites Back at Chito
It’s not a great look for ‘Chito’ making excuses rather than taking the loss and moving on. There is very much an air of sour grapes as he has also gone at Sandhagen since for his comments on the flat performance. Greasing is an accusation that many fighters have used in the past, where they believe their opponents have overly greased themselves up to make it harder to grapple or land effectively on them.
In a swift and direct reply Sean O’Malley responded
Vera was incredibly busted up after the fight and it was a dominant display from O’Malley. A trilogy between the pair is not on the horizon anytime soon, however it is 1-1 between them so it’s possibly paths may cross once more later down the line. Next for the champion is undoubtedly Merab Dvalishvili but for Vera it could be any number of up and coming contenders, potentially the winner of Cody Garbrandt vs Deiveson Figueriedo later in the year.
Given the damage on Vera we can’t be certain on a return date however O’Malley has set his sights on UFC 306 or a venture to sunny Spain. The bout with Ilia Topuria would be a super fight but is a fight that could build for a year if both retain their belts with some defences. Dvalishvili will be next for O’Malley possibly at UFC 306.
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