Sean O’Malley has proven time and again that he is a force to be reckoned with in the UFC bantamweight division, despite facing skepticism and criticism along the way. Before experiencing his first professional defeat, the former UFC bantamweight standout amassed an impressive 12-0 MMA record, captivating fans with his dynamic striking and knockout power.

However, O’Malley’s first loss came under unusual circumstances. In August 2020, at UFC 252, a bizarre foot injury led to a TKO defeat against Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera, temporarily halting his momentum. But just two months prior, O’Malley had made a statement by knocking out former UFC title challenger Eddie Wineland with a devastating one-shot finish that instantly went viral.

At the peak of his career, Eddie Wineland was no stranger to elite competition, having faced interim bantamweight champion Renan Barao in 2013, a fight Barao won with a spinning back kick in the second round. Though Wineland was no longer a title contender by 2020, he remained a credible threat to O’Malley’s unbeaten streak.

At UFC 250 in June 2020, O’Malley silenced the doubters with a ruthless first-round knockout. The fight started with O’Malley landing a sharp short hook that visibly rocked Wineland. Though Wineland momentarily regained his footing after a missed spinning attack, he could not recover in time. O’Malley’s next punch landed flush on Wineland’s chin, delivering a scary and emphatic KO that cemented his rising status in the division.

Since losing his bantamweight title in a one-sided decision to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 last September, O’Malley has not stepped back into the octagon. Dvalishvili went on to defend his belt against Umar Nurmagomedov in a closely contested co-main event at UFC 311 earlier this year.

Despite the dominant nature of their first encounter, UFC CEO Dana White has already scheduled a highly anticipated rematch. Dvalishvili vs. O’Malley 2 is set to headline UFC 316, scheduled for June 7 in Newark, New Jersey.

O’Malley has vowed to come back stronger, promising to be “70 percent better” in the rematch. Fans are eager to see if he can replicate the knockout brilliance he displayed against Wineland against one of the most formidable fighters in the bantamweight division.

Only time will tell if ‘Suga’ Sean O’Malley can rise once more to reclaim his place among the elite and deliver an unforgettable performance on June 7.