Sean O'Malley has become one of the top stars of the UFC who came behind him with a lot of hype in the promotion.
After his appearance on the Contender Series of Dana White, it was clear that 'Suga' had a lot of star potential if he was able to continue to win in the Octagon.
Although many people, including Marlon Vera, who was the first man who defeated him, were critical of the rise of O'Malley in the Bantamweight Division, his performances were always impressive.
O'Malley's bouncer back from his loss to Vera on UFC 252 saw him stop three opponents in a row before he met Pedro Munhoz against UFC 276 in 2022.
The second of those three victories saw that O'Malley completely dismantled an opponent of a short term who has now been set up to return to the Octagon for a new big chance.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Kris Moutinho deserves a late notification UFC opportunity four years after Sean O'Malley Beatdown
At UFC 264, Sean O'Malley was originally planned to face Louis Smolka until newcomer Kris Moutinho arrived in the short term.
The fight was completely one -sided with Moutinho and earned a lot of praise for his remarkable toughness after taking O'Malley for the most of the duration.
Referee Herb Dean finally put the action in the third round with Dana White who praised 'Suga' for his performance in the press conference after the fight, which removed a reference to the resilience of his opponent.
“He did what he should do. Stayed on his feet, kept moving. Touch the man with tons of combinations, did not go out as he did it. I mean, he looked a bit at the clock in the fight, but if you are against a zombie, I can simply imagine what it is like.”
Moutinho separated roads with the UFC after a second consecutive defeat, and returned to the regional scene where he has been in tear for the past two years.
The 32-year-old has achieved five consecutive victories and finishes that have seen him earn a late notification in the UFC.
A first report from MMA Mania has now been confirmed with Moutinho who returns to the Octagon on 14 June in Atlanta to face the undefeated Malcolm Wellmaker.
Kris Moutinho returns to the UFC with a point to prove after claiming 'I am not just a boxing bag'
The first run of Kris Moutinho in the UFC ended after he was stopped in March 2022 by Guido Cannetti.
The Bantamweight hunter came in that matchup with a point to prove after much praise for his toughness on UFC 264.
Moutinho told MMA Junkie prior to his canceled UFC fight with Aaron Phillips, who followed his loss for Sean O'Malley that he wanted to introduce himself to the Octagon again.
“I have to win fights first,” said Moutinho. “That is the most important part. Get these victories and shows that I am worth more than just what they saw the last fight. I am happy that everyone enjoyed the last fight, everyone thought it was great, but it still hurts me. I can't even view it anymore.
“I watched it a few times, and it was too much. I don't want to be known as the man who just takes butt weeks. I am a hunter. I've been fighting for a long time. I have done shows, and you're going to see it.”
Now Moutinho has another chance to do that.