LAS VEGAS – The Sugar Show is back.
After a two-year layoff and a seemingly endless saga of failed drug tests, appeals, reinstatements and disappointments, Helena native Sean O’Malley made up for lost time in a hurry.
The undefeated bantamweight delivered an impressive first-round knockout of Jose Quinonez at UFC 248 in Las Vegas on Saturday.
O’Malley (11-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) finished Quinonez (8-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) at the 2:02 mark of the first round in what was a striking clinic.
O’Malley was the aggressor from the opening bell, throwing strikes from every direction and stunning Quinonez. A big shot dropped Quinonez to the canvas and O’Malley swarmed until the referee stepped in to end the match.
“It’s hard to put into words,” an emotional O’Malley told commentator Joe Rogan in his post-fight interview. “I can’t even put it into words. Definitely ‘The Suga Show 2.0.’ I definitely have more tools and more moves for a sweet finish.”
O’Malley isn’t the only undefeated Montana native in the UFC. Fellow undefeated bantamweight Hunter Azure from Poplar will fight at UFC 249 on April 18.
