Sean
O’Malley’s selection as “Fighter of the Year” at the recent
ESPY awards was heavily criticized by the
Brazilian media.
On his weekly podcast, „Papo de Luta“, UFC Fight Pass Brazil
commentator Carlos
Barreto, said he did not understand the reasons for O’Malley to
surpass the achievements of UFC light heavyweight champion Alex
Pereira.
“I’m not discussing the quality of O’Malley, who is undoubtedly
talented and a great fighter, in addition to being very popular in
the U.S. What must be taken into question here are the facts. In
the period in question, O’Malley knocked out [Aljamain
Sterling] and beat ‘Chito’ Vera on points, while ‘Poatan’
knocked out Jiri [Prochazka] twice, Jamahal
Hill once and beat Blachowicz on points, becoming double
champion,” Barreto said.
“If the award went to the greatest American fighter of the year,
that would be fine, but here it is a global award. Unfortunately,
it even takes away the credibility of the award.”