Teddy Atlas chose Sean O’Malley over Aljamain Sterling in UFC 292’s main event, and his confidence only grew after witnessing the first round. Even though Sterling took that round on every judge’s card during Saturday’s pay-per-view event, Atlas perceived a strategic shift that set up O’Malley’s knockout victory in the second round.
Atlas analyzed the first round on the UFC 292 post-show on ESPN+, describing it as a round where little seemed to happen but where both fighters were cautious not to err. Towards the end of the round, Sterling’s aggression came into play, and Atlas argued that it was this newfound aggression that ultimately led to his downfall. According to Atlas, Sterling’s aggression at the close of the round made him over-confident and led him to leave himself vulnerable in the second round.
Sterling’s eagerness was noticeable in his early second-round charge that ended the fight. As he aggressively moved in with a punch, O’Malley countered with a right hand that caught Sterling on the chin, sending him to the mat. Referee Marc Goddard called off the match just 51 seconds into the second round.
Atlas further emphasized that aggression against a counterpuncher can be fatal if not executed with extreme precision. Drawing a comparison with McGregor’s knockout of Aldo, he explained that the approach was all wrong against a skilled counterpuncher like O’Malley. In a side-by-side comparison between McGregor’s and O’Malley’s knockouts, the post-show team noted that the only difference in the finishing blows was the hand they used.
In a conversation with ESPN analysts Chael Sonnen, Michael Chiesa, and Michael Eaves, Atlas, a boxing expert, stated that his experience in striking told him that fighting a counterpuncher requires perfection. He selected O’Malley precisely because he anticipated Sterling’s aggression and knew it would provide an opportunity for a finish like the one that occurred.
RELATED:
- Video highlights of Aljamain Sterling vs. Sean O’Malley’s full fight.
- Sean O’Malley secures the bantamweight championship with a second-round knockout of Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292.
- Fighters react to Sean O’Malley’s impressive victory over Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292.
- UFC 292 post-fight show features reactions to O’Malley’s stunning knockout and Zhang Weili’s dominating performance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fokus keyword: UFC 292
Who did Teddy Atlas pick to win the UFC 292 fight between Aljamain Sterling and Sean O’Malley?
Teddy Atlas picked Sean O’Malley to win the fight against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292.
What did Atlas say about Sterling’s performance in the first round?
Atlas described the first round as careful and cautious for both fighters, but he noted that Sterling’s late-round aggression set the stage for his eventual defeat.
How did Sean O’Malley win the fight against Aljamain Sterling?
O’Malley won by a second-round knockout. Sterling’s aggressive charge left him exposed for O’Malley’s counter right hand, leading to the knockout.
What comparison did Teddy Atlas make between O’Malley’s knockout and another famous fight?
Atlas compared O’Malley’s knockout to Conor McGregor’s knockout of Jose Aldo, emphasizing the skill of counterpunching in both cases.
What was the reaction on the UFC 292 post-fight show?
The post-fight show included analysis and reaction to Sean O’Malley’s stunning knockout victory and a side-by-side comparison between McGregor’s knockout and O’Malley’s.
More about fokus keyword: UFC 292
- UFC 292 Full Event Details
- Highlights of Sean O’Malley’s Knockout Victory
- Teddy Atlas’ Analysis and Commentary
- Conor McGregor vs. Jose Aldo Knockout Comparison
- Zhang Weili’s Performance at UFC 292
