Sean O’Malley and Petr Yan delivered a scrap worthy of “Fight of the Night” honors, and in the end, O’Malley proved he belonged with the best bantamweights of the division.
At the end of three rounds, O’Malley gutted out a split decision via scores of 29-28 twice with one judge disputing for ex-champ Yan by the same tally.
It was a contentious decision, as reaction from fighters showed. They were heavily in favor of Yan, who reacted with shock at the decision, though some fighters praised O’Malley for his breakthrough performance.
Here’s what fighters had to say about Sean O’Malley’s win over Petr Yan at UFC 280 on Saturday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Judges in Abu Dhabi are fucking careers up #ufc280
— BMF.eth (@GamebredFighter) October 22, 2022
Man… Suga showed toughness and had a great fight but he didn’t win that fight.
— Chris Weidman (@chrisweidman) October 22, 2022
Wow talk about UFC privilege this is getting outta hand.
— Dominick Reyes (@DomReyes) October 22, 2022
That is one of the absolute biggest robberies I have seen. What the actual fuck.
— Lando Vannata (@GroovyLando) October 22, 2022
Whaaaaatt!! No way no fucking way
— U R I A H H A L L (@UriahHallMMA) October 22, 2022
Call the Yan got robbed #ufc280
— Joe Joe Giannetti (@Giannettimma) October 22, 2022
Damn, I have to come back. Both those guys would be easy money for me #UFC280
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) October 22, 2022
Hmmm… I’m not so sure.
Thoughts? #UFC280
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) October 22, 2022
Idk about that great fight tho congrats to Sean
— Terrance ‘T Wrecks’ McKinney (@twrecks155) October 22, 2022
Fotn no future question sean rt there incredible fight
— Terrance ‘T Wrecks’ McKinney (@twrecks155) October 22, 2022
We want a rematch over 5. Crazy fight #ufc280
— LERONE MURPHY (@LeroneMurphy) October 22, 2022
Very exciting fight. Would like to see a rematch over five rounds. #UFC280
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) October 22, 2022
ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE FIGHT! IM TYPING IN CAPS ALL DAY!!!! #UFC280
— Jeff Molina (@jmolina_125) October 22, 2022
What a performance by both fighters.
Fight of the night !!!— Aleksandar Rakic (@rakic_ufc) October 22, 2022
Judges are there to hurt your heart, and when it comes to fighting that is evenly matched you must deal with them.
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) October 22, 2022
Worst robbery I’m UFC history, I hope our sport doesn’t become boxing @danawhite
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) October 22, 2022
