Sean O'Malley and Pedro Munhoz both came up empty-handed at UFC 276.
The bantamweight bout ended in a no contest after an inadvertent eye poke from O’Malley (15-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) rendered Munhoz (19-7 MMA, 9-7 UFC) unable to see out of his right eye. The stoppage came at the 3:09 mark of Round 2. The fight opened up the UFC 276 main card at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Prior to the stoppage, the fight played out as a technical striking match with both men patient. Munhoz landed his signature leg kicks to the lead leg of O’Malley. Meanwhile, O’Malley tried to keep Munhoz at distance as he utilized successful footwork and lengthy punches.
The foul occurred in the back half of Round 2, and instantly Munhoz winced in pain when O’Malley’s open hand raked his face. Referee Jason Herzog called in the cageside physician to take a look. Munhoz told the doctor all he could see was black. Herzog told Munhoz to take a few moments. After a follow-up conference, the doctor told Herzog he saw damage on the back of the eye. That was all Herzog needed to hear to wave off the fight.
Initially, O’Malley showboated with his signature basketball jump-shot celebration. But his mood changed and he visibly looked disappointed as he walked over to Munhoz and shook his hand.
Since the foul was deemed inadvertent, the bout was ruled a no contest.
Munhoz vs. O'Malley ruled a no contest after an unintentional eye poke. #UFC276 pic.twitter.com/Mfda0tF640
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 3, 2022
Up-to-the-minute UFC 276 results include:
- Pedro Munhoz vs. Sean O’Malley ends in no contest (inadvertent eye poke) – Round 2, 3:09
- Jalin Turner def. Brad Riddell via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 0:45
- Jim Miller def. Donald Cerrone via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 2, 1:32
- Ian Garry def. Gabe Green via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Dricus Du Plessis def. Brad Tavares via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Andre Muniz def. Uriah Hall via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Maycee Barber def. Jessica Eye via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- Julija Stoliarenko def. Jessica-Rose Clark via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 0:42
