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Sean O'Malley picked up a controversial split decision victory over Petr Yan at UFC 280. Bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling shared his thoughts on the decision.
During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Sterling discussed the controversial decision, stating:
"I felt bad for Yan. I felt like he got - did think he got robbed. I think O'Malley was a little shocked and perplexed at the decision as well. I think it kind of caught him off guard that it was a split decision. I think it caught him more off guard that he won."
Sterling compared O'Malley's split decision victory over Yan to his own at UFC 273, adding:
"Now, he knows what it feels like. When I was in the same position and the difference is, I actually knew I won the fight. He's on the side where he won the fight and he doesn't even know if he really won the fight so he goes back and watches where in the fight I knew based on the strike count that I freaking won the fight."
Sterling's comments add to a growing list of fighters who believe that Yan was robbed by the judges. Many believe that the controversial split decision was a result of the UFC's desire to fast-track O'Malley into stardom.
Watch Aljamain Sterling discuss Sean O'Malley's controversial win over Petr Yan below (starting at the 41:53 mark):
Dana White discusses Sean O'Malley's controversial victory over Petr Yan at UFC 280
Entering UFC 280, Sean O'Malley had an opportunity to continue his rise towards stardom with a dominant showing over Petr Yan. While O'Malley fought a great fight, many felt that he was wrongfully awarded a victory due to the UFC's desire for his starpower to grow. UFC President Dana White, however, did not agree with the decision of the judges.
During his post-fight press conference, White stated:
"It was one of those razor thin close fights. I could see people saying Yan won the fight and I could see people saying O'Malley won the fight. What's weird is it wasn't the way I thought it was with the judges scorecard. I thought, depending on who you gave the first round to, determined who won the fight, but that was not the case apparently."
White had previously shared that the winner of the matchup between O'Malley and Yan would challenge for the bantamweight title. It remains to be seen if this still holds true after O'Malley emerged victorious by way of a controversial decision.
Watch Dana White's comments on Sean O'Malley's victory over Petr Yan below:
