Sean O’Malley has left renowned UFC color commentator Joe Rogan wide-mouthed cageside on more than one occasion.
The former UFC bantamweight champion has an extensive highlight reel on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.
En route to winning gold at 135 pounds with a sole blemish on his record against Marlon Vera, O’Malley knocked out the likes of Aljamain Sterling, Eddie Wineland, Raulian Paiva, and Thomas Almeida.
And one of those names was once highlighted by Rogan as a prospect to watch years before he was knocked out by the fists of ‘Sugar’.
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Sean O’Malley caused classic Joe Rogan reaction by shutting Thomas Almeida’s lights off with brutal punch
O’Malley lost to Vera in 2020 after suffering from a freak case of drop foot. The American wasted little time getting back to winning ways, though.
In his first of three wins in 2021, ‘Sugar’ shared the cage with Thomas Almeida at the Apex-held UFC 260 pay-per-view. The event was headlined by Francis Ngannou’s KO of Stipe Miocic to win the heavyweight title.
The then future bantamweight kingpin provided another of the night’s highlights when he stopped Almeida late in the third round.
O’Malley dropped the Brazilian but, as he had earlier in the fight, walked off in anticipation of a referee stoppage.
Just as Rogan and Daniel Cormier questioned that move on commentary, the Montana native smashed Almeida’s head into the canvas for the KO.
Joe Rogan included Thomas Almeida on group of 2016 names to watch
Five years before O’Malley vs. Almeida, the latter fighter had caught the eye of many in the MMA community, including Rogan.
After 17 wins and 17 finishes to start his career, the Brazilian joined the UFC as a highly touted bantamweight prospect.
He continued to impress inside the Octagon, winning his debut in 2014 and all three of his outings in 2015.
At 21-0 and ranked No. 6 at bantamweight, Almeida was listed by Rogan alongside the likes of Sage Northcutt as a prospect to watch.
And while previewing Almeida’s clash with fellow undefeated up-and-comer Cody Garbrandt, the veteran color commentator had high praise for the Brazilian.
“Thomas Almeida has all the book of a future champion,” Rogan said.
“We have seen Thomas Almeida overcome adversity inside the Octagon…Brad Pickett had him hurt, had his nose broken, and Almeida came back and stopped him with a spectacular flying knee.”
Garbrandt’s KO ultimately paved the way for his title crowning. The once highly touted Almeida, meanwhile, endured a major career collapse.
The Brazilian has fought just six times in the nine years since, losing four bouts.
Almeida did, however, recently find some rare success. In his return four years on from the defeat against O’Malley, the 33-year-old recorded a decision win at Art of Scrap 10.