“That’s Exactly What Happened” – Mike Tyson’s Former Coach Puts Sean O’Malley at Par With Conor McGregor After Eerily Similar KO at UFC 292

The challenger steps back a little, catches the champion lacking, and lands an effective and critical counterpunch. The champ then drops to the mat, gets hammered, and the referee stops the action. And a new electrifying champion is crowned. This is the story that made Conor McGregor the champion at UFC 194 in 2015. But this is also the sequence that also made Sean O’Malley the champion at UFC 292. Where do the similarities start, and where do they end?

The eerily similar visuals have gripped the fans ever since ‘Sugar’ clinched the bantamweight strap. As Aljamain Sterling became a mirror image of the beaten Jose Aldo, the pundits have tried to break down how it happened. It appears Mike Tyson‘s former coach, Teddy Atlas, has a clue.

Atlas explains Sean O’Malley’s Conor McGregor moment at UFC 292

The veteran coach appeared on the ESPN post-show and dissected how ‘Funk Master’ dropped the fight. He mentioned Sterling started the second one with all guns blazing but without any heed to the defense. It was his naked aggression against a great counterpunch that cost him the fight and the title.

Atlas said, “But if you just come in naked with aggression, you gonna get knocked out with a great counterpuncher. That’s why Conor McGregor knocked out [Jose] Aldo. The style was perfect for him. McGregor is a great counterpuncher and he can bang. And Aldo reached it a little bit and he caught him.”

Read More: “Can’t Get Much Closer Than That”: Sean O’Malley Joins Fans After His KO Win Over Aljamain Sterling Gets Compared to Conor McGregor’s Victory Over Jose Aldo

“Those guys- use it as an additional comparison, which is a perfect comparison. And that’s exactly what happened here. Again, he [Aljamain Sterling] got too aggressive with a counterpuncher and you can’t do that and he reached. You can’t reach,” he added.

The newly crowned bantamweight kingpin also has a fair idea about the comparison that the media and fans are drawing. Therefore, when asked, O’Malley candidly opened up about his feelings.

Sean O’Malley talks about his comparison with Conor McGregor

In the post-fight presser, the American fighter said, “Yeah, Conor’s a high-level striker. I’m a high-level striker.” Following this, he mentioned how he practiced the punch in the warmups. With his journey from Dana White’s Contender Series to undisputed champion complete, O’Malley has his eyes set on the rematch with Marlon Vera.

But before that rematch takes place, the fans will draw comparisons with ‘The Notorious’ and pull the replays. However, it is up for debate whether he’ll live up to his legacy and fans’ expectations.

What do you make of these comments by Teddy Atlas? Do you believe that these two knockouts are mirror images of each other? Let us know in the comments below.

Watch this story: Jorge Masvidal Wins the Race Against Mike Tyson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Triple H to Become Dwayne Johnson’s Successor at UFC 291 for the BMF Title