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04th Mar 2018

Broken foot, bloodcurdling screams and a horizontal interview on the UFC 222 card

Well that was a first

Darragh Murphy

Credit to Sean O’Malley. The kid is tough!

Huge things are expected of O’Malley, who faced the biggest challenge of his UFC career to date when he faced Andre Soukhamthath on the main card of UFC 222.

O’Malley earned himself a couple of 10-8s in the opening frame thanks to some sterling striking and looked worthy of all the hype that has been showered on him since his appearance on Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series.

The 23-year-old claimed a unanimous decision on Saturday night but he didn’t have it all his own way as he sustained a bad injury in the third round.

O’Malley couldn’t maintain a poker face after hurting his right foot on a kick and he was essentially on one leg for the remainder of the final frame but Soukhamthath couldn’t capitalise on his opponent’s injury.

‘Sugar’ Sean held out to earn the decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-28) but remained flat on his back after the final horn, letting out a deafening scream once the adrenaline wore off and the pain set in.

O’Malley didn’t even make it to his feet when Bruce Buffer announced him the winner and he stayed right where he was when Joe Rogan made it into the Octagon to interview the undefeated prospect from his back.

After assuring the Las Vegas crowd that he would be OK once he got some “medicine” at his after-party, O’Malley declared himself a huge fan of Rogan.

“I fucking love you, Joe Rogan!” O’Malley roared.

“I fucking love you too,” the veteran commentator answered.