Tonight’s UFC 252 co-main attraction featured a key bantamweight bout between surging division contenders Sean O’Malley and Marlon Vera.
O’Malley (12-0 MMA) was most previously seen in action at June’s UFC 250 event where he scored a sensational first round knockout victory over former WEC title holder Eddie Wineland. Since joining the UFC ranks in December of 2017, ‘Sugar’ has gone a perfect 4-0 including two stoppage victories.
Meanwhile, Marlon Vera (15-6-1 MMA) had entered UFC 252 looking to rebound, this after having his five-fight win streak snapped by Song Yadong via decision in his most recent outing. Prior to the setback, ‘Chito’ had been on a hot streak scoring five stoppage wins in a row.
Tonight’s UFC 252 O’Malley vs. Vera contest proved to be a short-lived contest. Marlon Vera was able to hurt Sean O’Malley’s knee early in the contest with a heavy low kick. Shortly after ‘Sugar’s’ leg would give out for good and ‘Chito’ promptly finished him off with strikes.
Official UFC 252 Result: Marlon Vera TKO’s Sean O’Malley in Round 1
Check out how the pros reacted to Vera defeating O’Malley below:
I’ve been looking forward to this fight!! O’Malley vs Vera #UFC252
— KAMARU USMAN (@USMAN84kg) August 16, 2020
I’m going with @chitovera especially if uses his clinch & wrestling game from Olympic training center teammate @daryllchristian
— Eric Albarracin (@CPTdasAmericas) August 16, 2020
I'm going with @chitoveraUFC , I feel like he's being doubted to much and he's gonna go prove a point… #UFC252
— Corey 'Overtime' Anderson (@CoreyA_MMA) August 16, 2020
https://twitter.com/panteraufc/status/1294843099743649793
Oh yeah!! Ready for this one!! #UFC252
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) August 16, 2020
Post-fight reactions to Sean O’Malley vs. Marlon Vera:
Some people aren’t made for war… #SugaFree
— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) August 16, 2020
Great job @chitoveraUFC ##UFC252
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) August 16, 2020
Like said all bark. #ufc252
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) August 16, 2020
Who would you like to see Marlon Vera fight next following his TKO victory over Sean O’Malley this evening in Las Vegas? Share your thoughts in the comments section PENN Nation!
This article first appeared on BJPENN.com on August 15, 2020