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Newly-released footage has shown Sean O’Malley practising the exact punch that won him the bantamweight title at UFC 292. O’Malley knocked out Aljamain Sterling early in the second round on Saturday (19 August), dropping the now-former champion with a perfect right cross then finishing him on the canvas. And the American, 28, has since taken to social media to share clips of his training for the fight, including footage of him in his locker room before the main event. The clips (which you can watch lower down in this article) specifically show “Sugar Sean” practising the right hand that dropped Sterling, with O’Malley’s technique and movements looking identical to their execution in the fight itself. The caption to the post read: “Sean & Tim [Welch, O’Malley’s coach] predicted the KO over Aljamain.” Prior to UFC 292, Sterling had won nine fights in a row, including three title defences – all against ex-champions. O’Malley, speaking in the ring after his victory, said: “It feels right, baby, it feels right. Honestly, this was the most nervous I’ve been for a fight. In my eyes, Aljamain Sterling is the greatest bantamweight of all time, but I never lost the confidence – because I know what I possess in this f***ing right hand, baby! “It only takes one mistake against me. I don’t even know if that was a mistake, I’m just that f***ing good!” Meanwhile, 34-year-old Sterling said: “Sean is a lot better than I thought, man. He did a really good job. He was elusive, stayed on the outside. This was nothing but respect at the end of the day. [We’re] chasing the dream.” O’Malley also used his post-fight interview to call out Marlon “Chito” Vera as his first challenger. Vera, who beat Pedro Munhoz on points at UFC 292, is the only fighter to defeat O’Malley. The Ecuadoran beat “Sugar Sean” via TKO in 2020. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Conor McGregor on UFC return: ‘They’re not going to let me fight’ Sean O’Malley becomes newest UFC superstar with one-punch KO of Aljamain Sterling UFC schedule 2023: Every major fight happening this year Sean O’Malley becomes newest UFC superstar with one-punch KO of Aljamain Sterling UFC 292 LIVE: Sean O’Malley stuns Aljamain Sterling with picture-perfect KO Conor McGregor on UFC return: ‘They’re not going to let me fight’

Sean O’Malley’s rapid rise up the rankings culminated in a one-punch KO of Aljamain Sterling on Saturday, as “Sugar Sean” took the bantamweight title at UFC 292. O’Malley’s crisp and flashy striking has seen him become a fan favourite with crossover potential in recent years, and that potential was realised when he dropped Sterling with a picture-perfect right hand in Boston, setting up a TKO finish. American O’Malley, 28, arrived in the main event without having taken on many top contenders – with the exception of former champion Petr Yan, whom he beat via a controversial decision – and he was similarly able to avoid significant danger in Round 1 against Sterling. The Jamaican-American, 34, was put on the back foot and unable to utilise his standout grappling skills, though O’Malley offered little output despite his forward pressure in a cagey opening frame. And the fight was over before it got going, as Sterling rushed onto a short, clean right cross from O’Malley early in Round 2, a shot that dropped “Funkmaster” at once. O’Malley then finished Sterling on the canvas with a series of punches and hammer fists, as the TD Garden in Boston was flooded with cheers. “It feels right, baby, it feels right,” O’Malley said in the ring. “Honestly, this was the most nervous I’ve been for a fight. In my eyes, Aljamain Sterling is the greatest bantamweight of all time, but I never lost the confidence – because I know what I possess in this f***ing right hand, baby! It only takes one mistake against me. I don’t even know if that was a mistake, I’m just that f***ing good!” Meanwhile, Sterling was gracious as fans booed the now-former champion, who entered UFC 292 on a 10-fight win streak and with three successful title defences to his name – all against ex-champions. “Sean is a lot better than I thought, man,” Sterling said. “He did a really good job. He was elusive, stayed on the outside. This was nothing but respect at the end of the day. [We’re] chasing the dream, something everyone in the crowd should be trying to do every day of your life.” In the co-main event, Zhang Weili dominated Amanda Lemos to win a lopsided decision (50-43, 50-44, 49-45) and retain the strawweight title. Full UFC 292 results Main card Sean O’Malley def. Aljamain Sterling via second-round TKO (punches, 0:51) Zhang Weili def. Amanda Lemos via unanimous decision (50-43, 50-44, 49-45) Ian Machado Garry def. Neil Magny via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-24) Mario Bautista def. Da’mon Blackshear via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) Marlon Vera def. Pedro Munhoz via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) Prelims Brad Tavares def. Chris Weidman via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Gregory Rodrigues def. Denis Tiuliulin via first-round knockout (elbows, 1:43) Kurt Holobaugh def. Austin Hubbard via second-round submission (triangle choke, 2:39) Brad Katona def. Cody Gibson via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) Early prelims Andre Petroski def. Gerald Meerschaert via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) Natalia Silva def. Andrea Lee via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) Karine Silva def. Maryna Moroz via first-round submission (guillotine choke, 4:59) Read More UFC schedule 2023: Every major fight happening this year Michael Chandler gives Conor McGregor ‘huge props’ for one aspect of UFC star’s game Carl Froch tears apart Anthony Joshua’s ‘beginner’ performance against Robert Helenius UFC 292 LIVE: Sean O’Malley stuns Aljamain Sterling with picture-perfect KO Michael Chandler gives Conor McGregor ‘huge props’ for one aspect of UFC star’s game Conor McGregor ‘training’ Dillon Danis for Logan Paul fight

Sean O'Malley scored a huge upset win thanks to a big right hand.

Aljamain Sterling defends his bantamweight title against Sean O’Malley in the main event of UFC 292 tonight, after Zhang Weili puts her gold on the line. Grappling specialist Sterling has proven a divisive champion since winning the belt from Petr Yan via DQ in 2021, despite the Jamaican-American securing successful defences against Yan and other ex-champions in TJ Dillashaw and Henry Cejudo. Meanwhile, O’Malley is one of the most exciting strikers in the UFC, and his popularity among fans has seen him rise through the rankings quickly. Will Sterling prove too tough a test for the younger American? Fans will find out in this evening’s headline bout, which follows Zhang’s strawweight title defence against Amanda Lemos. Follow live updates and results from UFC 292 below. Sign up to bet365 using The Independent’s unique bonus code by clicking here. Read More Michael Chandler gives Conor McGregor ‘huge props’ for one aspect of UFC star’s game Conor McGregor ‘training’ Dillon Danis for Logan Paul fight UFC rankings: The Independent’s pound-for-pound fighters list

Rising star Sean O’Malley will challenge Aljamain Sterling for the UFC bantamweight title this weekend, as the pair headline UFC 292. O’Malley’s crisp and flashy striking has seen him win over a lot of fans, though his personality has proven divisive. In any case, the American has managed to set up a title shot without going through the wringer that many fighters do, in large part due to his profile. “Sugar Sean” did, however, take on ex-champion Petr Yan last year, edging past the Russian with a controversial decision win. Sterling also divides fans but is crafting an impressive resume, which features successful title defences against Yan, TJ Dillashaw and Henry Cejudo – all former champions. The Jamaican-American’s grappling skills are expected to be the difference this weekend, though he must beware O’Malley’s ability to produce a one-punch knockout. In the co-main event, two-time strawweight champion Zhang Weili defends her title against Amanda Lemos. Here’s all you need to know. When is it? The prelims are set to begin at 1am on Sunday 20 August (5pm PT, 7pm CT, 8pm ET on Saturday), with the main card following at 3am BST (7pm PT, 9pm CT, 10pm ET on Saturday). How can I watch it? The card will air live on TNT Sports in the UK, with the broadcaster’s app and website also streaming the fights. In the US, ESPN+ will stream the action live, as will the UFC’s Fight Pass. Full card (subject to change) Aljamain Sterling (C) vs Sean O’Malley (bantamweight title) Zhang Weili (C) vs Amanda Lemos (women’s strawweight title) Marlon Vera vs Pedro Munhoz (bantamweight) Neil Magny vs Ian Machado Garry (welterweight) Cody Garbrandt vs Mario Bautista (bantamweight) Marlon Vera vs Pedro Munhoz (bantamweight) Chris Weidman vs Brad Tavares (middleweight) Gregory Rodrigues vs Denis Tiuliulin (middleweight) Austin Hubbard vs Kurt Holobaugh (lightweight) Andre Petroski vs Gerald Meerschaert (middleweight) Andrea Lee vs Natalia Silva (women’s flyweight) Karine Silva vs Maryna Moroz (women’s flyweight) Read More Conor McGregor confirms UFC return and three-fight plan Anthony Joshua takes swig of Conor McGregor’s Irish stout after Helenius knockout Conor McGregor calls out KSI for bare-knuckle fight after Anthony Joshua wins by KO What time does UFC 292 start in UK and US this weekend? How to watch UFC 292 online and on TV this weekend When is the next UFC event?

Two of the most divisive fighters in the UFC will clash this weekend, as Aljamain Sterling faces Sean O’Malley in the main event of UFC 292. Grappling specialist Sterling will defend his bantamweight title in the highly-anticipated bout, as the Jamaican-American looks to build upon wins over Petr Yan, TJ Dillashaw and Henry Cejudo – all former champions. Meanwhile, O’Malley has become a fan favourite due to his impressive striking and his confidence in it, and his profile has arguably fast-tracked him to a title shot. The American did, however, overcome an ex-champion in Yan last year, albeit via a controversial decision. In the co-main event, two-time strawweight champion Zhang Weili defends her title against Amanda Lemos. Here’s all you need to know. When is it? The prelims are set to begin at 1am on Sunday 20 August (5pm PT, 7pm CT, 8pm ET on Saturday), with the main card following at 3am BST (7pm PT, 9pm CT, 10pm ET on Saturday). How can I watch it? The card will air live on TNT Sports in the UK, with the broadcaster’s app and website also streaming the fights. In the US, ESPN+ will stream the action live, as will the UFC’s Fight Pass. Full card (subject to change) Aljamain Sterling (C) vs Sean O’Malley (bantamweight title) Zhang Weili (C) vs Amanda Lemos (women’s strawweight title) Marlon Vera vs Pedro Munhoz (bantamweight) Neil Magny vs Ian Machado Garry (welterweight) Cody Garbrandt vs Mario Bautista (bantamweight) Marlon Vera vs Pedro Munhoz (bantamweight) Chris Weidman vs Brad Tavares (middleweight) Gregory Rodrigues vs Denis Tiuliulin (middleweight) Austin Hubbard vs Kurt Holobaugh (lightweight) Andre Petroski vs Gerald Meerschaert (middleweight) Andrea Lee vs Natalia Silva (women’s flyweight) Karine Silva vs Maryna Moroz (women’s flyweight) Read More Conor McGregor confirms UFC return and three-fight plan Anthony Joshua takes swig of Conor McGregor’s Irish stout after Helenius knockout Conor McGregor calls out KSI for bare-knuckle fight after Anthony Joshua wins by KO How to watch UFC 292 online and on TV this weekend When is the next UFC event? UFC schedule 2023: Every fight happening this year

Aljamain Sterling will defend his UFC bantamweight title against Sean O’Malley in the main event of UFC 292 this weekend. O’Malley’s rise has been a curious one, with the striking specialist attracting a strong following over the last six years but finding himself in this title fight without having faced the stiffest competition. The American did win a controversial decision against former champion Petr Yan in October, but his more testing match-ups before that did not inspire as he would have hoped; “Sugar Sean” suffered a TKO against Marlon Vera, before fighting Pedro Munhoz to a No Contest. Meanwhile, Sterling has proven a divisive champion since taking the belt from Yan via DQ. He has won narrow decisions against the Russian and Henry Cejudo, and he stopped another former champion last year in an injured TJ Dillashaw. In any case, the Jamaican-American is the favourite in Boston this weekend, with his grappling skills expected to trump O’Malley’s striking. In the co-main event, two-time strawweight champion Zhang Weili defends her title against Amanda Lemos. Here’s all you need to know. When is it? UFC 292 takes place on Saturday 19 August, at the TD Garden in Boston. The prelims are set to begin at 1am on Sunday 20 August (5pm PT, 7pm CT, 8pm ET on Saturday), with the main card following at 3am BST (7pm PT, 9pm CT, 10pm ET on Saturday). How can I watch it? The card will air live on TNT Sports in the UK, with the broadcaster’s app and website also streaming the fights. In the US, ESPN+ will stream the action live, as will the UFC’s Fight Pass. Odds Sterling – 2/5; O’Malley – 2/1 Zhang – 2/7; Lemos – 13/5 Via Betway. • Get all the latest UFC betting sites offers Full card (subject to change) Aljamain Sterling (C) vs Sean O’Malley (bantamweight title) Zhang Weili (C) vs Amanda Lemos (women’s strawweight title) Marlon Vera vs Pedro Munhoz (bantamweight) Neil Magny vs Ian Machado Garry (welterweight) Cody Garbrandt vs Mario Bautista (bantamweight) Marlon Vera vs Pedro Munhoz (bantamweight) Chris Weidman vs Brad Tavares (middleweight) Gregory Rodrigues vs Denis Tiuliulin (middleweight) Austin Hubbard vs Kurt Holobaugh (lightweight) Andre Petroski vs Gerald Meerschaert (middleweight) Andrea Lee vs Natalia Silva (women’s flyweight) Karine Silva vs Maryna Moroz (women’s flyweight) Read More Conor McGregor confirms UFC return and three-fight plan Anthony Joshua takes swig of Conor McGregor’s Irish stout after Helenius knockout Conor McGregor calls out KSI for bare-knuckle fight after Anthony Joshua wins by KO

Conor McGregor has confirmed his long-awaited UFC return with an ambitious three-fight plan to take on Michael Chandler, Justin Gaethje and a trilogy bout with Nate Diaz. McGregor must first spend six months in the United States’ anti-doping testing pool and return two negative tests before he is eligible to fight, having not competed since 2021 – unless he is granted a special exemption. “Chandler next, in December,” McGregor told TalkSport of his plans, speaking after Anthony Joshua’s win at the O2 Arena on Saturday night. “And then Gaethje for the BMF showdown. And following that, we’ll seal the deal with the Nate Diaz trilogy.” McGregor and Chandler have been filming the new season ofThe Ultimate Fighter ahead of their own clash, which is still without a date, location and weight class. Gaethje recently avenged a 2018 loss to Dustin Poirier by knocking out his fellow American with a stunning head kick to win the ‘Baddest Motherf*****’ (BMF) title. Afterwards McGregor used social media to call out Gaethje, saying: “I’ll slap you around.” Diaz, who submitted McGregor in March 2016 before losing to the Irishman on points that August, left the UFC in September 2022 after submitting Tony Ferguson. “I’ll get that again,” McGregor, 34, said on The MMA Hour. “We’ll get that trilogy at some stage for sure. That’s when he was gone that he was [supposed to be] doing the show. So, you know what way that is, it’s all politics and all that. “We must fight, we’re one a piece. It’s a great rivalry, and it was a great fight. So, we gotta square that away for sure. Am I a person not to get the fights made and done? Look at all the fights I’ve had. When I say it, it happens. “I have a load of bouts left in me and a load of stories incomplete, and I’m excited to continue on and get them done.”

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UFC 293 finally has its main event, as Israel Adesanya defends the middleweight title against Sean Strickland in Sydney. Adesanya had long been expected to headline the 9 September card, with fans keen to see the Nigerian-New Zealander take on Dricus Du Plessis, with whom the champion has taken issue in recent months. With Du Plessis injured, however, Adesanya will face Strickland, one of the most controversial fighters on the UFC roster. The American has come under fire in the past for claiming he would be ‘very happy’ to kill an opponent in the ring. “If I killed somebody in the ring, it’d f***ing make me very happy,” Strickland, 32, said in 2021. “Like, if Uriah [Hall] hits me and maybe I have a brain aneurysm and die, you’ll hear me saying: ‘I’m okay, that’s a good death.’ “We’re all going to die sometime. You know, might as well end in a good way. We’re all going to the same place, man. It’s either gonna be then or now. Just enjoy it.” Fifth-ranked Strickland last fought in early July, stopping Abus Magomedov in the second round. Meanwhile, Adesanya last competed in April, regaining the middleweight title by knocking out Alex Pereira. Adesanya, 34, lost the belt to Pereira in November, suffering a TKO defeat by the Brazilian to fall to 0-3 against his old rival, who previously beat Adesanya twice in kickboxing. The “Last Stylebender” finally secured a win over Pereira in their most recent clash, however, to kickstart his second reign as middleweight champion. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Charles Oliveira ‘bluffed’ about injury in bid to move UFC title fight with Islam Makhachev Logan Paul vs Dillon Danis added to KSI vs Tommy Fury card It’s time to stop taking Anthony Joshua for granted

Charles Oliveira has admitted that he ‘bluffed’ about having an injury in a bid to change the time and place of his title fight with Islam Makhachev. Oliveira will challenge Makhachev for the UFC lightweight belt in Abu Dhabi in October, 12 months after the pair clashed for the title in the same venue: the Etihad Arena. In their first fight, Makhachev submitted former champion Oliveira to win the vacant gold, and now the Brazilian will try to avenge that loss to the Russian. However, it looked at one point like Oliveira might not be fit to compete in October, leading some fans to wonder whether Makhachev would defend his title in Abu Dhabi at all. But now Oliveira has revealed that he was not injured – or, at least, not as badly as he had suggested. “What changed is that I just learned how to play. Now I’m playing,” the 33-year-old said on The MMA Hour on Monday (7 August). “What I knew was that the UFC was planning to maybe have a fight in Brazil in November, so I was trying to push it to November. “I was just playing with them. Obviously it didn’t work, so now I’m fighting in October, but that’s what I was doing: I was bluffing.” Oliveira bounced back from his loss to Makhachev by knocking out Beneil Dariush this June. “Do Bronx” previously held the lightweight title from May 2021 until May 2022, before being stripped of the gold. Oliveira was stripped of the title after narrowly missing weight, the day before his scheduled defence against Justin Gaethje. The Brazilian went on to submit Gaethje and set up his first fight with Makhachev. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More Don’t sneer at the boxing crossovers – they’re lucrative, successful and here to stay ‘Boo if you’re a virgin’: Jake Paul mocks crowd after beating Nate Diaz Dillian Whyte vows to prove his innocence after doping test ‘adverse finding’

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