Sean O’Malley Fight Record: Has ‘Suga’ ever lost in his professional career?

“Suga” Sean O’Malley has competed in MMA since 2015. Find out more details about his fight record and losses.


Sean O’Malley Fight Record: Has ‘Suga’ ever lost in his professional career?

Sean O'Malley has an impressive fight record (via Imago)

Sean O’Malley is the most popular fighter in the bantamweight division. He landed a UFC contract after a knockout victory in front of Dana White, Snoop Dog, and Urijah Faber. O’Malley has some of the best striking skills the bantamweight division has ever seen. Sean O’Malley has amassed an impressive fight record over the years.

O’Malley started his MMA career in 2015 and finished six of his first seven fights. His impressive track record in the regional circuit got him an offer to fight on Dana White’s Contender Series. “Suga” defeated his opponent via a knockout that shocked White, Snoop Dog, and the audience at home.

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He made his UFC debut in December 2017 and defeated Terrion Ware via decision. The first impressive win of his career came against Petr Yan at UFC 280. Nobody expected O’Malley to trouble the former champion, but he impressively outstruck Yan in the three-round thriller.

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In 2023, ‘Suga’ defeated Aljamain Sterling to capture the bantamweight title. The result was a massive upset as Sterling had wins over former champs Yan, TJ Dillashaw, and Henry Cejudo. Fight fans always wonder about the career and accomplishments of Suga. As such, find out more details about the career of Sean O’Malley.

Sean O’Malley Fight Record

Total Fights20KO Wins12
Wins18Submission Wins1
Losses1Decisions5
No-Contests1KO Losses1
Draws0Submission Losses0

Sean O’Malley has competed in 20 professional bouts. He has 18 wins, a loss, and a no-contest. He finished 13 of his fights with 12 knockouts and one submission. The only no-contest of his career came against Pedro Munhoz at UFC 276. Munhoz could not continue after a strike inadvertently turned into an eye-poke. Some analysts and fight fans claimed that Munhoz took the easy way out.

Sean O'Malley fighting
Sean O’Malley fighting (Image Courtesy – Daily Star)

The only loss of his career came against Marlon “Chito” Vera. O’Malley fought Vera in the co-main event of UFC 252. Vera’s leg kick managed to hurt O’Malley, who lost the effectiveness of his leg. Vera then went on to land heavy elbows and punches that led the referee to stop the fight. To this day, O’Malley refuses to credit Vera for defeating him.

In 2024, O’Malley avenged the loss. After winning the bantamweight title, Suga faced Chito Vera for his first title defense. Sean O’Malley put on a striking masterclass and defeated Marlon Vera at UFC 299. So, in a way, he found some silver lining.

Sean O’Malley Career Highlights and Accolades

‘Suga’ Sean O’Malley has the potential to become a star similar to Conor McGregor. He has had multiple highlights and accomplishments in his MMA career. Some would say O’Malley has just entered his prime, and more accomplishments would follow.

Sean O'Malley
Sean O’Malley (Image Courtesy – Sports Illustrated)

Here are some of the accomplishments and highlights of O’Malley’s career:

  • Suga has won three Fight of the Night honors in his career in the UFC. It came against Andre Soukhamthath in 2018, Kris Moutinho in 2021, and Petr Yan in 2022.
  • Suga has won six Performance of the Night bonuses in his UFC career. It came against his performances against José Alberto Quiñónez, Eddie Wineland, Thomas Almeida, Raulian Paiva, Aljamain Sterling, and Chito Vera.
  • Suga has the highest accuracy in striking percentage in the bantamweight division with 61 percent.
  • Suga holds the record for the highest number of strikes landed per minute in UFC bantamweight division history, with 7.47 in a minute.  
  • UFC 299, headlined by Suga, became the highest MMA live gate in Florida’s history, with $13.75 million.
  • Suga also has a top-five live gate in UFC history after UFC 299 grossed $13.75 million in ticket sales.

FAQs

When did Sean O’Malley start his professional MMA career?

O’Malley started his career in 2015.

Who was the first fighter to defeat Sean O’Malley?

Marlon “Chito” Vera defeated O’Malley at UFC 252.

How many knockout victories does Sean O’Malley have in his career?

O’Malley has won 12 fights via knockout.

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