5 reasons why Adrian Yanez could bring an end to Sean O'Malley's hype train
Adrian Yanez and Sean O'Malley are two of the most exciting bantamweight prospects currently fighting in the UFC. O'Malley's self-taught striking style, with its rich variety and breadth of feinting, is a sight to behold that seems to overwhelm many of his foes. Yanez, on the other hand, has a more brutal approach compared to the flashier style employed by 'Sugar'.
O'Malley recently locked horns with Pedro Munhoz at UFC 276. Unfortunately, the matchup was widely panned as Munhoz was uncharacteristically timid in his engagement, while O'Malley did little else other than check the Brazilian's low kicks. 'Sugar' also committed multiple fouls, the last of which resulted in the bout being ruled a no-contest.
Adrian Yanez fought a few weeks prior to UFC 276, knocking out controversial bantamweight Tony Kelley in spectacular fashion at UFC on ESPN 37. While both Adrian Yanez and Sean O'Malley have a wealth of potential, the power-punching Texan appears to possess the necessary tools to challenge 'Sugar' should the two ever meet. This list details the five reasons why Yanez might derail the O'Malley hype train if the two ever face each other.
#5. Adrian Yanez's kicking defense
Much of Sean O'Malley's success as a striker is predicated on his varied skill-set as a kicker. The bantamweight star often uses leg strikes to set up other kicks and punches, most frequently employing low kicks and front kicks to create openings for more devastating blows. The low kicks he throws are hard and punishing, designed to convince his opponents that they're better off trying to catch-and-parry, rather than simply blocking or withstanding them.
O'Malley often feints low, causing his foes to drop their hands in anticipation of a leg strike, before throwing a high kick or right hand over the top of their guard. While effective, this primarily works due to how poorly MMA fighters defend against kicks.
Adrian Yanez, however, does a much better job defending himself. At times, he parries kicks all the way across his guard, allowing him to position himself at an angle from which he can counter his opponents on their open side.
Even when the Texan parries his foe's kicks at his mid-line, he steps in towards them, lunging in with punches to the head and body while his opponent is standing on one leg.
While Yanez isn't always successful at timing his counter-punches after parrying his foe's kicks, he still catches them out of position frequently enough to cause O'Malley problems.