Sean O’Malley is currently the reigning bantamweight champion of the UFC. He brings high-intensity exchanges whenever he steps into the ring. O’Malley secured a win in the UFC in 2024, which led to him winning the ESPY for Best UFC Fighter. However, this achievement has left fans feeling dejected, especially considering what Alex Pereira has achieved in the last 12 months.
O’Malley’s only victory in 2024 came against Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera. Even when considering 2023, he has not remained more active than Alex Pereira. His TKO win over Aljamain Sterling has made him one of the undeniable superstars of UFC. Nevertheless, Pereira has risen to the same level of prominence after entering the UFC in 2021.
‘Poatan’ lost his middleweight title to Israel Adesanya at UFC 287. Soon, he moved up a division and contested for the light heavyweight championship. At UFC 295, Pereira defeated Jiri Prochazka to become the ninth two-division champion in the UFC. In 2024, Pereira headlined the historic UFC 300 card and starched Jamahal Hill to defend his title.
Fast-forward two months, the Brazilian knockout artist received a daunting call to replace Conor McGregor for UFC 303. ‘Poatan’ took the fight on two-week notice and prevailed over all odds. As such, the argument remains that Pereira has done more than any other fighter in the last two calendar years. Hence, fans have overwhelmingly reacted negatively to O’Malley winning the best fighter award.
The MMA community was in a state of disagreement and controversy following ESPY’s declaration of O’Malley as the ‘Best UFC fighter.’ Even his fellow competitors, such as Aljamain Sterling, appeared to ridicule the decision. Sterling sarcastically commented, “Well earned,” with a laughing emoticon.
Aljamain Sterling and the MMA community react to Sean O’Malley’s achievement over Alex Pereira (via X)Not only Sterling but the MMA community vouched for ‘Poatan’ in the comments, saying he deserved it more than O’Malley. Fans believed the Brazilian had more significant and dominating wins in 2024 than O’Malley. The MMA community also highlighted Pereira’s dominance in the light heavyweight division with two wins over a former champion like Jiri Prochzka. Check out some of the fans’ reactions below.
ESPN sucks ass. Nobody was more dominant than Pereira but you know this woke ass corporation had to pick the guy with rainbow hair. 🤡💩 https://t.co/nYmeszb1XF
— SO Free (@SOfreeLifestyle) July 12, 2024
And the winner goes to the nominee with the biggest social media following.
— Da Cake (@SlipsterOG) July 12, 2024
Of the 4 nominees, this is the worst pick of the bunch.
— Cilin Philip (@Cilin22) July 12, 2024
He deserves it. You can’t fight unskilled fighters and think you deserve fighter of the year 😂. Chama in the mud 😂💔
— T. Fritz 🇨🇲 (@TFritz12467688) July 12, 2024
The guy who lost to Chito got fighter of the year? Did ESPN forget that Alex has 2 spectacular knock out wins vs good comp?
— ChristianMMA 🇯🇵☦️ (@ChristianityMMA) July 12, 2024
That’s why he won ESPY.
US we know Alex won ESPN fighter of the year.
— Phasha Manapyane (@phashake1) July 12, 2024
Alright the UFC pushing Sean as the next superstar allegations are undeniable now
— Fan (@undercoverNBA) July 12, 2024
what exactly is the criteria lmao
— Ben🔜🌕 (@butze_) July 12, 2024
Many even thought O’Malley was the worst pick out of the four nominees. Nevertheless, fans have the right to react whenever they see something unfair. O’Malley will soon defend his title against Merab Dvalishvili. The bantamweight king will aim to prove everyone wrong with a win over the Georgian fighter.
