A variety of us had been laughing when Sean O’Malley teased a transition to boxing … however possibly the joke’s on us?
“Suga” is being hailed for his distinctive palms within the wake of his UFC 299 efficiency in opposition to Marlon Vera, a five-round drubbing that avenged a earlier loss to “Chito” again in summer time 2020. In reality, famed boxing coach Teddy Atlas suggests O’Malley may maintain his personal — and even defeat — boxers competing on the professional circuit.
Perhaps the bookies bought it incorrect.
“I’m not gonna name him a striker,” Atlas mentioned on YouTube (transcribed by MMA Information). “I feel he would beat a whole lot of professional fighters… Yeah, he would beat a whole lot of professional boxers. He’s that good a boxer, his legs are that good, his placing means, his combos are that technically sound and pure, his palms are that quick, his ring IQ is that prime, his imaginative and prescient is that clear. He’s an incredible counter-puncher; a pure counter-puncher… He’s bought an extended jab and he makes use of that to arrange punches. He is aware of vary very well. He controls vary very well, not solely together with his toes, however even with getting full size on his punches.”
Seems like this evaluation wasn’t that far off.
O’Malley, 29, is anticipated to return to the Octagon in some unspecified time in the future later this 12 months to defend his 135-pound title in opposition to No. 1-ranked contender Merab Dvalishvili, the place takedown protection — not knockout energy — is more likely to be the deciding truth. “The Machine” has been identified to make mincemeat out of bantamweight strikers.
There’s additionally that Ilia Topuria tremendous combat; nevertheless, that appears to be fading from view as time drags on, so all we are able to do is sit and watch for matchmakers to do their factor.
