Sean O’Malley has become one of the UFC’s most captivating fighters. His journey to prominence began with an impressive performance that secured his UFC contract.
O’Malley’s stunning first-round knockout of Alfred Khashakyan earned him a spot in the UFC after excelling in the second season of Dana White’s Contender Series in 2917. However, it was Snoop Dogg’s reaction while serving as a commentator alongside Urijah Faber that truly propelled O’Malley into the spotlight.
“Oh, huge. Massive, massive,” O’Malley shared with “The Breakfast Club.” “It’s crazy how my career has played out. That was the beginning of the craziness. Snoop Dog is commentating on my fight when I was 21, 22 on the Contender Series. It’s the first time they’ve done it. I knock that dude out, and he yells O’Malley like 30 times. That was crazy.”
Following his win at DWCS, O’Malley had the chance to spend time with Snoop Dog, solidifying his arrival in the UFC.
“I don’t even remember, I got so high,” O’Malley recalled. “We were in the trailer, and they just kept passing it. I walked out of the trailer, and there were a bunch of cameras. A bunch of people around. I hadn’t smoked, probably for three or four weeks leading up to a fight. I just got a crazy knockout. I just got signed to the UFC. Now I’m smoking with Snoop and when I was leaving the trailer, that felt like a movie. That was crazy. I don’t remember what we talked about at all.”
O’Malley certainly lived up to the expectations, defeating notable opponents like Eddie Wineland and Petr Yan before securing a title shot. He eventually knocked out Aljamain Sterling and claimed the UFC bantamweight title in August, further adding to the anticipation surrounding “Suga.”
O’Malley is set to return to the octagon in March at UFC 299, where he is scheduled to face Marlon Vera, the only man to have defeated him. Vera stopped him in the first round of their co-main event clash back at UFC 252 in 2020.
Sarah Foster is your guide to the world of Mixed Martial Arts. With a deep understanding of MMA’s intricacies and a passion for the sport, she offers comprehensive coverage of MMA events, fighter profiles, and in-depth analysis of fights. Sarah’s commitment to the octagon ensures that readers stay engaged with the latest developments in the MMA world.
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