Honestly, the Sean O'Malley record is one of those things that keeps people up arguing in the YouTube comments until 3:00 AM. It’s a weird mix of highlight-reel KOs, some serious "wait, what?" moments, and a couple of results that still make fans' blood boil. If you just look at the raw numbers, you aren't getting the full picture of how "Suga" Sean actually got here.
Right now, as we sit in early 2026, his official professional MMA record stands at 18-3-0 (1 NC).
That "1 NC" (No Contest) from the Pedro Munhoz fight is like a permanent asterisk that people tend to forget about, but it’s a big part of the story. It wasn't a win, it wasn't a loss, it was just... a poke in the eye that ended a massive Vegas night early. But since then, his career has basically been a rollercoaster of high-stakes title fights and tactical masterclasses.
Breaking Down the 18 Wins
O'Malley isn't just a "boxer" who happened to wander into a cage. He’s a sniper. Out of those 18 wins, the sheer variety is kinda wild. He has 12 wins by KO/TKO, which is basically his brand at this point. That right hand is a heat-seeking missile.
You remember the Aljamain Sterling fight? UFC 292. People thought Sterling’s wrestling would just swallow Sean whole. Instead, Sean landed that perfect counter-right that sent Sterling face-first into the canvas. It was the moment he proved he wasn't just a "hype train"—he was the station.
Then you’ve got his 5 decision wins. His rematch against Marlon "Chito" Vera at UFC 299 was basically a five-round clinical study on how to not get hit. He outstruck Vera so badly it looked like a sparring session where one guy forgot to bring his hands.
- KO/TKO Wins: 12 (including that insane walk-off against Eddie Wineland)
- Decision Wins: 5 (Petr Yan, Chito Vera 2, etc.)
- Submission Wins: 1 (A rear-naked choke back in his early ICF days)
It's funny, because people talk about him like he has zero ground game, but he actually started his career with a sub. He just realized pretty quickly that putting people's lights out with his fists was a faster way to get a TikTok following.
The Three Losses: What Really Happened?
This is where the Sean O'Malley record gets controversial. If you ask Sean, he'll probably tell you he’s still undefeated in his mind. But the record books don't care about "mental" wins.
The first loss to Chito Vera in 2020 was the "peroneal nerve" incident. Chito kicked him, Sean’s foot went dead, and he collapsed. It was a TKO loss. Fans debated for years whether it was a fluke or a legit strategy. Sean spent years calling it a "freak accident," but a loss is a loss.
Then came the "Machine." Merab Dvalishvili.
Merab has basically become the foil to Sean’s entire career. Their first meeting at UFC 306 in 2024 was a tough watch for Suga fans. Merab just didn't stop. He wrestled, he pressured, and he took a unanimous decision. It was the first time Sean looked human in the Octagon.
The rematch at UFC 316 in June 2025 was even more definitive. Merab caught him in a ninja choke (some call it a modified guillotine) in the third round. Watching a guy as elusive as Sean tap out was a huge shock to the system. It settled the debate: Merab's pressure is the ultimate kryptonite for the Suga Show.
Looking Forward: UFC 324 and Beyond
So, where does he go from here?
Sean is currently scheduled to face Yadong Song at UFC 324 on January 24, 2026. This is a massive "get right" fight. Yadong is a powerhouse, but he doesn't have the relentless chain-wrestling of a Merab. This is the kind of matchup where the Sean O'Malley record usually grows by another KO.
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If he wins, he’s right back in the title conversation. If he loses? Well, three losses in a row is a "danger zone" that even the biggest stars struggle to orbit out of.
Actionable Insights for Following the Suga Show:
- Watch the Feet: When Sean fights, don't look at his hands. Watch his footwork. If he’s switching stances fluidly, he’s in the zone. If he’s flat-footed, he’s in trouble.
- Stats Matter: Sean has one of the highest significant strike accuracies in the history of the Bantamweight division (over 60%). He doesn't throw "volume" just for the sake of it; he throws to end the night.
- The Merab Factor: Until Merab Dvalishvili loses the belt or moves up a weight class, Sean’s path back to the gold is blocked by the one guy who has his number.
The Sean O'Malley record is more than just a 18-3-0 stat line. It’s a testament to a guy who bet on himself, dyed his hair every color of the rainbow, and actually backed up the talk against some of the greatest 135-pounders to ever live. Keep an eye on that January 24th date—it’s going to define whether the Suga Show is a trilogy or a series finale.