At UFC 299 O'Malley will put his bantamweight title in the line with the only opponent that has beaten him Marlon Vera. This will be the second Match between O'Malley and Vera since their first and only match in 2020, where the Ecuadorian took the win.

August 2023 saw O'Malley secure a knockout victory over Aljamain Sterling in the second round, claiming the UFC bantamweight championship. This Saturday at UFC 299, he is gearing up to defend his title for the first time.

This weekend at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, the fighter will have the chance to defend his title and seek redemption for his only career defeat.

By achieving this, he will solidify his position as the unquestioned bantamweight champion of the UFC, making it impossible for critics to challenge the American fighter who was recently ranked as the eighth-best pound-for-pound. Despite the various scenarios, the current 135-pound titleholder still believes that there are numerous individuals who are hesitant to recognize him as a true star.

O'Malley and Vera Stats

O'Malley boasts a strong record with impressive striking stats. He throws a high volume of strikes (7.25 per minute) with good accuracy (61%). He's known for keeping opponents at distance and utilizing his long reach (72 inches) to land kicks and punches. While most of his wins come via knockout (75%), he also possesses some grappling ability, though rarely utilized (1 submission in career). His average fight time is shorter than average (8:45 minutes), suggesting he tends to finish fights early.

Vera, nicknamed "Chito," brings a well-rounded skillset to the octagon. He has a respectable record and has earned roughly a third of his wins by knockout, submission, and decision each. While not as prolific a striker as O'Malley, he lands significant strikes at a decent rate (50%) and boasts a solid defense (51%). Vera tends to fight longer on average (12:54 minutes), suggesting he's comfortable going the distance if needed.

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