Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
UFC rising prospect Sean O’Malley takes another L, this time in submission grappling.
More than a month ago at UFC 253, bantamweight prospect Sean O’Malley experienced his first professional defeat at the hands of Marlon Vera. Over the weekend, he took another L at the Grappling Industries tournament final in Phoenix.
“Suga” Sean went up against Danaher Death Squad member Robert Degle, whose specialty is, of course, leg locks. Degle got O’Malley with a heel hook within the first minute and a half of action.
Degle posted the video on Instagram, along with an encouraging message for the 25-year-old fighter.
Had a great opportunity to compete against the rising UFC star @sugaseanmma in a @grapplingindustries event here in Phoenix, Arizona. For Sean to compete in such an event demonstrates a very respectable desire to grow as a martial artist.
Realistically he had nothing practical to gain by doing this event. The man has over a million followers and is surely making bank in MMA. So why do the event? We spoke afterwards and he explained that he simply loved JuJitsu.
I hope the experience of competing against me helps push him to further development as a martial artist. I was a fan before but an even bigger one now
O’Malley himself posted a post-match photo, and he wasn’t “super salty” this time around.
O’Malley holds a purple belt under long-time coach Tim Welch and Mundial champion Augusto “Tanquinho” Mendes.