Three men are lounging on a sofa: the one on the right plays a flute, the one in the middle strums a guitar, and the one on the left gently taps a tambourine.
A comment on the video humorously notes, “I’d love to show this to someone and ask them to guess who the UFC 135lbs champion is.”
And the commenter is spot-on. Sean O’Malley, the guy on the left with the tambourine, is one of the world’s most talented fighters, known for his vibrant personality and striking hairstyles in the UFC.
O’Malley, celebrated for his inventive social media presence and his formidable skills in the Octagon, has quickly risen to fame as both a fan favorite and a UFC champion.
His standout appearance—complete with face tattoos and a bold hairstyle—sets him apart, but his nickname, “Suga,” is just as iconic. This nickname was given by his first coach, Johnny Aho, back in Helena, Montana, because O’Malley was “just so sweet to watch.” O’Malley describes his fighting style as “beautiful, violent, but not a violent act.”
He’s certainly lived up to that description.
With a record of 20 professional fights, 18 wins, one loss, and one no contest, O’Malley stands at the top of the UFC bantamweight division, having already defended his title once. He’s set to make his second title defense against Georgia’s Merab Dvalishvili on September 14 at UFC 306.
However, O'Malley’s ascent to the top hasn’t been without its challenges.
A Challenging Comeback
In 2018, O’Malley was on the rise, predicted to reach the top of the sport. But his progress hit a snag.
O’Malley announced on social media that he was withdrawing from his fight against Jose Quiñonez on October 6, 2018, at UFC 229 after failing a drug test. The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) later revealed that O’Malley had tested positive for ostarine, a banned substance. This resulted in a six-month suspension, compounded by a hip surgery.
He was slated to return to action on July 6, 2019, at UFC 239 but was pulled from the event due to another positive test for ostarine. A further six-month suspension followed after USADA’s investigation, which suggested the positive tests were due to ostarine contamination rather than intentional use.
The enforced two-year hiatus impacted his mental health, with O’Malley admitting to struggles with depression and anxiety. Despite these challenges, he maintained a positive outlook. “(People) get sentenced for stuff they have never done, and that’s how I feel, in a way,” he said. “But it’s so much smaller than stuff like that. I have food. I have water. I have shelter. So, my life is still really good; I just have to make sure I keep that perspective that it could be a lot worse.”
During his time away, O’Malley focused on improving his skills. “I feel like I’m twice as good. Overall, I’m stronger in every aspect,” he told MMA Fighting after his return.
When he finally made his comeback, it was explosive. Two first-round knockouts reestablished his reputation as one of the UFC’s most exciting fighters.
O’Malley faced a setback when he lost to Marlon Vera in late 2020, his first career defeat. He was hindered by an injury to his leg from a kick by Vera. O’Malley’s coach, Tim Welch, revealed that the injury was due to damage to O’Malley’s peroneal nerve, which affected blood flow to his right foot. Welch took responsibility, noting that tight ankle wraps and timing issues contributed to the problem.
Despite this defeat, O’Malley quickly rebounded with three consecutive wins, climbing back up the rankings. His fight against Pedro Munhoz was declared a no contest due to an accidental eye poke from O’Malley.
With renewed momentum, O’Malley showcased his prowess by defeating former bantamweight champion Petr Yan and securing the title belt with a knockout of Aljamain Sterling last year.
A Flair for the Dramatic
In March of this year, O’Malley faced Marlon Vera again, this time with a flamboyant flair. Arriving at the pre-fight face-off in a vibrant green coat, black sunglasses, and white attire, O’Malley made a striking impression.
In the ring, O’Malley delivered an impressive performance. Dressed in blue and pink cornrows and pink fight shorts, he utilized his superior speed, footwork, and striking skills to dominate Vera. His victory was well-received, with praise from fellow fighters and MMA analysts alike.
Former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and welterweight fighter Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson commended O’Malley’s performance, highlighting his technical skills and distance management.
After overcoming numerous challenges, O’Malley stands out not only for his fighting abilities but also for his distinctive personality and style, making him a favorite among UFC fans.
The ‘Class Clown’ of MMA
In the world of mixed martial arts, few stand out as much as O’Malley. His face tattoos, including “Suga” near his right eye and “CHAMP MMXXIII” above it, have become integral to his persona. O’Malley explains that his tattoos were spontaneous decisions, reflecting a desire to stand out and be unique.
His social media presence is equally distinctive, filled with humorous and offbeat content that contrasts with the more conventional approach of his peers. O’Malley, who identifies as the “class clown, goofy kid,” leverages social media to entertain and connect with fans, finding success in turning his playful nature into engaging content.
Despite facing some negative experiences, such as having his home address targeted in a “swatting” incident, O’Malley remains committed to authenticity. “I do think just being yourself, people can tell. The fans can tell when people are trying too hard or not being yourself,” he said. “So you gotta be yourself. But you also gotta try to be creative. Be yourself. Surround yourself with good people.”
O’Malley’s journey illustrates the importance of staying true to oneself while navigating the highs and lows of professional sports.
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