Oh, Sean O’Malley. Once dubbed all flash and no substance, he’s now rocking that gold around his waist, proving the naysayers wrong. It’s a classic “eat your words” scenario.
He’s stepping back into the octagon, ready to defend his UFC bantamweight title. And guess who’s waiting? Marlon Vera. The only guy who’s managed to put a dent in O’Malley’s record. Their rematch is set to light up UFC 299 on March 9 in Miami. Since their last dance, O’Malley’s been unstoppable, boasting a 5-0 record with one no contest. Last time we saw him, he was dispatching Aljamain Sterling with a flurry of punches, claiming the bantamweight throne. Sterling hadn’t tasted defeat in nearly six years, making O’Malley’s victory all the more sweet.
Vera’s no slouch, either. He’s coming off a string of wins, with just a single split decision loss marring his recent record. The guy’s as tough as they come, never having been finished in his 32-fight career. Talk about resilience.
But wait, there’s more! March is packed with fights you won’t want to miss. Cedric Doumbe, with his kickboxing prowess, is stepping into the MMA world full throttle. He’s set to headline PFL Europe 1 in Paris on March 7. Doumbe’s record? An impressive 5-0, all finishes. His opponent, Baissangour Chamsoudinov, is also unbeaten. This fight’s got fireworks written all over it.
Then there’s Chihiro Sawada versus Jihin Radzuan at ONE on Prime Video 20 in Bangkok. Sawada’s coming in hot with a six-fight win streak, while Radzuan is looking to bounce back from a loss. It’s a classic striker versus grappler matchup.
Don’t forget about Uran Satybaldiev and Bruno Assis clashing for the interim LFA light heavyweight title on March 8 in California. Both fighters are hungry for that belt, promising a battle you won’t forget.
And how about Dustin Poirier? He’s set to face Benoit St. Denis at UFC 299, right before O’Malley and Vera go at it. Poirier’s looking to bounce back after a tough loss, and St. Denis is on a five-fight tear. This one’s got “fight of the night” potential.
Liam Gittins is putting his Cage Warriors bantamweight title on the line against Roberto Hernandez in Manchester on March 16. Gittins is riding a five-fight win streak, but Hernandez is coming in hot with nine straight wins. This fight is anyone’s game.
KSW 92 in Poland is hosting a bantamweight title fight between Jakub Wiklacz and Zuriko Jojua. Wiklacz is defending his title for the first time in 2024, while Jojua is on an eight-fight winning streak. High stakes, high tension.
Corey Anderson is squaring off against Karl Moore for the vacant Bellator MMA light heavyweight title in Belfast on March 22. Both fighters are looking to make a statement and claim that title.
Amanda Ribas and Rose Namajunas are set to clash at UFC on ESPN 53 in Las Vegas on March 23. Namajunas is trying to find her footing at flyweight, while Ribas is looking to add another win to her mixed record. It’s a pivotal fight for both.
Lastly, Erin Blanchfield and Manon Fiorot are headlining UFC on ESPN 54 in Atlantic City on March 30. Blanchfield’s been on a tear, and Fiorot’s physicality in the flyweight division is unmatched. The winner could very well be next in line for a title shot.
March is shaping up to be an explosive month for MMA fans. Buckle up; it’s going to be a wild ride.