(ALSO SEE: Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Sean O’Malley after UFC 292 title win?)
The most statistically successful bantamweight title reign in UFC history came to a sudden end on Saturday when Aljamain Sterling dropped the strap to Sean O’Malley in the UFC 292 headliner.
After racking up a divisional record three consecutive title defenses, Sterling (23-4 MMA, 15-4 UFC) saw his time on top halted courtesy of a perfect counter right hand from O’Malley (17-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) that led to the second-round TKO result at TD Garden in Boston. It was a heart-breaking moment for Sterling, who had to take the most difficult road possible to reach champion status then hold onto it for as long as he did.