Sean O’Malley basically handpicked his first title protection by plucking Marlon “Chito” Vera to function his counterpart in UFC 299’s most important occasion.
By all accounts, Vera shouldn’t sniff a title shot proper now after dropping to Cory Sandhagen after which scoring an uninspiring win over Pedro Munhoz, however a victory over O’Malley from 2020 was all that mattered when reserving the matchup. As a result of O’Malley instructions an viewers as a fast-rising UFC star, his want to avenge the lone lack of his profession shut out extra deserving contenders like Merab Dvalishvili, who sits on a exceptional 10-fight win streak but is on the skin wanting in in the case of O’Malley’s first title protection.
UFC welterweight Matt Brown believes that was all accomplished with a function — so O’Malley might no less than get one title protection underneath his belt earlier than he inevitably runs right into a combat he has little or no probability of successful.
“He’s bought good folks round him, managing him, placing issues collectively,” Brown stated of O’Malley’s collection of Vera as an opponent over Dvalishvili on the newest episode of The Fighter vs. The Author. “It ought to have been Merab, however the UFC’s squeezing all of the juice they’ll out of Sean O’Malley earlier than Merab is available in and empties that cup out.
“Merab is the subsequent champion. I don’t suppose there’s any doubt about it. In all probability a longtime champion. I don’t see anyone developing that may take Merab out. I imply, he simply appears to be like improbable in all the things he does. He’s completely a f****** prepare.”
Throughout his present run, Dvailishvili has taken out quite a few ranked opponents, together with three former bantamweight champions. Following his newest win over Henry Cejudo at UFC 298, UFC CEO Dana White lastly declared Dvalishvili as subsequent in line for the title shot.
Assuming the UFC follows via on that promise, Brown says it actually doesn’t matter who wins at UFC 299, as a result of that individual will inevitably fall to Dvalishvili.
“One-hundred p.c [Merab wins],” Brown stated. “I don’t there’s any query. He beats each of them in the identical evening.
“I’ve been saying for somewhat bit now, particularly after the way in which he simply beat Cejudo, there’s an honest probability he’s going to be probably the greatest of all-time. I believe he has an actual good probability of being high 5 all time. There’s no person beating him for a very long time.”
So far as who will truly depart UFC 299 with the title, Brown feels assured that O’Malley will maintain onto his belt for no less than yet one more evening.
A freak damage ended the primary combat between O’Malley and Vera, nevertheless it appears unlikely one thing that that can occur once more. At their best possible, Brown believes O’Malley is simply the higher fighter, though he nonetheless must be cautious with Vera via all 5 rounds.
“Chito’s simply bought an uphill battle,” Brown stated. “I don’t see the place he’s going to have the ability to pull it out aside from it’s a five-round combat. It’s a f****** five-round combat and Chito is a god**** canine. I’m 90-10 right here on Sean O’Malley. It’s simply an uphill battle for Chito. I believe it’s a troublesome combat for him.”
After all, Vera has pulled off wins in related circumstances when he was down on the scorecards however then delivered an emphatic end.
It’s attainable he does the identical factor to O’Malley, however Brown doesn’t count on that to occur.
“The one factor going for him on this combat is it’s 5 rounds and he’s bought good energy,” Brown stated of Vera. “He finds his pictures rather well. So principally, Sean simply can’t f*** up for 5 rounds. However I believe Sean, he confirmed it within the first combat, he’s the higher fighter. He was piecing up Chito fairly good, however to be honest, Chito’s a sluggish starter. I believe yow will discover methods in the event you dig deep sufficient to discover a means for Chito to win this combat. If you would like him to win, you would justify it.
“I believe Sean O’Malley type of rubs lots of people the unsuitable means along with his purple hair and streaming bizarre dork stuff or no matter, which is all positive, however I believe folks type of discover justified methods for Chito to win as a result of all of us love Chito. He’s an important dude and all of us love the way in which he fights. However primarily based on the historical past, if Sean’s ankle holds up, he most likely wins the combat.”
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