Sean O’Malley put the entire UFC bantamweight division on notice with an incredible walk-off knockout against Eddie Wineland.
The start of the main card of UFC 250 pitted the irrepressible contender against arguable his toughest test, yet it proved to be one of his easiest wins.
O’Malley moved to 12-0 as a professional when he landed a perfect straight right hand down the pipe to knock Wineland out cold before simply walking away.
Commentator Joe Rogan insisted it was the best walk-off KO he had ever seen, while colleague Daniel Cormier compared the shot to former heavyweight contender Mark Hunt.
Prior to the event, O’Malley vowed to deliver a ‘viral knockout’ following his successful return to the octagon against Jose Quinononez and made sure 35-year-old Wineland felt the force.
“I feel like is gonna be a perfect match-up for something like [a viral knockout],” said O’Malley during UFC 250’s virtual media day.
“His hands are low, he’s a brawler, he’s not gonna come out and try to lay on me. The cage is small so he’s probably going to try and get started right away and be aggressive … whether he comes forward – heavy knockout – or if he lets me push him backwards, he’ll get knocked out. It works out perfectly.”
O’Malley’s 8th first round finish proved just how dangerous the 25-year-old is at this weight category and he vowed to watch the remaining fights of the night at the UFC Apex.
Four of the top nine contenders in the men’s 135lbs category are in action this evening with the division currently without a champion after Henry Cejudo’s retirement.
