Sean O’Malley Seeks Redemption in UFC 316 Main Event

Las Vegas, NV — Sean O'Malley faces a significant challenge on June 7 at UFC 316, where he aims to avenge one of his two career defeats in the main event. O’Malley, the former bantamweight champion, knows he has to overcome his past loss to regain his title.

Many believe O’Malley, nicknamed ‘Suga,’ is facing an uphill battle. Although he has avenged his only other defeat in the octagon, his career has not been without setbacks. A major hurdle was a two-year suspension, during which he kept busy by participating in grappling competitions.

In December 2019, O’Malley represented the UFC in a grappling tournament called Quintet Ultra. He joined notable fighters, including the late Anthony Johnson, and helped his team secure victory. O’Malley made a strong start by submitting Takanori Gomi, gaining an early lead for Team UFC.

However, O’Malley quickly encountered another challenge. He faced Hector Lombard, a seasoned competitor with a history in both PRIDE and Bellator. Lombard finished O’Malley in just 46 seconds with a straight angle lock after transitioning from mount.

Despite O’Malley’s rapid exit, Team UFC advanced to the finals against Team Strikeforce. In a tense match, O’Malley battled Gilbert Melendez, but the time limit expired in a draw, leading to their elimination.

The MVP of the tournament was Gilbert Burns, who submitted Yves Edwards and secured two decision wins against Kazushi Sakuraba and Jake Shields, contributing to Team UFC’s overall success.