Vera defeated O'Malley, who was an undefeated rising star, back in 2020 with a first-round TKO. O'Malley turned things around since then and won the bantamweight championship with a commanding victory over Aljamain Sterling in August.
O'Malley put his belt on the line to even the score with Vera. It was Vera's first UFC championship bout, and he had won five of his last six fights, but Saturday was not his night and he lost a wide decision.
Also on the action-packed card, former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier surprisingly knocked out Benoit Saint Denis in the co-main event. Petr Yan got back in the win column with a decision over Song Yadong and UFC newcomer Michael "Venom" Page outpointed Kevin "Trailblazer" Holland.
Here's how the entire card unfolded:
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Yahoo Sports Staff
RESULT: Sean O'Malley def. Marlon Vera by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-44)
O’Malley put a hell of a beating on Chito. Then asks for a jet to Spain to fight Ilia Topuria. That would honestly be a huge fight and a really, really tough one for O’Malley.
O'Malley calls for a champion vs. champion matchup with featherweight champion Ilia Topuria. Then says he's take Merab Dvalishvili next if that's what the fans want.
That was a great fight. What a performance by Sean O'Malley. In total control. Dictated everything. He's one of those guys who thrives the bigger the spotlight.
Best round yet for Chito. When he was coming forward hard he managed to do some damage. But when he sat back later in the round he was back to getting picked apart by O’Malley.
The champ is landing at will and Chito is taking his shots well including a massive knee to the chin. Somehow Vera survives to the third round, but O'Malley can smell a finish. Chito looking really beat up in the corner.
Yahoo Sports Staff
Good first round for O’Malley. Chipped away with kicks, seemed to have a speed advantage with the hands, didn’t let Vera get much offense going.
The thing with this fight is that all Sean O'Malley has to do is show one or two solid, reliable answers to the low kick. If he's done the work, then he should be able to win. Chito doesn't exactly make smart adjustments. But I'm banking on the permanence of O'Malley's weaknesses
The bantamweight title fight between champion Sean O'Malley and Marlon Vera is up next. Just an incredible card and it's still not over yet.
Yahoo Sports Staff
Yahoo Sports Staff
Dustin Poirier has now tied Drew Dober for the most knockouts in UFC lightweight history (9). Legend and future Hall of Famer who has produced some of the most memorable Octagon moments of this era. #UFC299
Round 1 in the books. Poirier was getting pieced up a bit and still was able to counter with some great shots.
Yahoo Sports Staff
Benoit Saint Denis has zero regard for Dustin Poirier's attacks, both with the striking and guillotine threats. He's moving in one direction, and that's forward #UFC299
It's co-main event time! Lightweight veteran Dustin Poirier (+185) faces Benoit Saint Denis (-225) in a five-rounder! BSD riding a fivefight winning streak.
UFC 299 main card results
• Bantamweight championship: Sean O'Malley def. Marlon Vera by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-44) • Lightweight: Dustin Poirier def. Benoit Saint Denis by KO (strikes) at 2:33 of R2 • Welterweight: Michael Page def. Kevin Holland by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) • Welterweight: Jack Della Maddalena def. Gilbert Burns by TKO (strikes) at 3:43 of R3 • Bantamweight: Petr Yan def. Song Yadong by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
UFC 299 preliminary card results, highlights
• Heavyweight: Curtis Blaydes def. Jailton Almeida by TKO (hammer fists) at 0:36 of R2:
• Women's flyweight: Maycee Barber def. Katlyn Cerminara via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) • Lightweight: Mateusz Gamrot def. Rafael Dos Anjos by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) • Bantamweight: Kyler Phillips def. Pedro Munhoz via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
UFC 299 early prelims card results, highlights
• Light heavyweight: Philipe Lins def. Ion Cutelaba by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) • Middleweight: Michel Pereira def. Michal Oleksiejczuk by submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:01 of R1: