Sean O’Malley gets step up, meets Pedro Munhoz at UFC 276 on July 2

Sean O'Malley will get the step up in competition the world has been pining for when he meets Pedro Munhoz at UFC 276.

A key bantamweight matchup between Munhoz (19-7 MMA, 9-7 UFC) and O’Malley (15-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) has been added to the promotion’s International Fight Week slate, which revolves around the July 2 event.

MMA Junkie verified with multiple people close to the situation that verbal agreements for the bout are in place. Those people requested anonymity because the UFC has yet to make an official announcement. ESPN.com first reported the booking.

O’Malley is currently in the midst of a three-fight knockout streak. The run came on the heels of his first and only career loss, which was a TKO defeat to Marlon Vera in a bout where O’Malley claims he suffered an in-fight injury that hampered his performance.

“Suga” has built back up since that August 2020 contest, though, and will now get a shot at Munhoz, who is No. 10 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie bantamweight rankings. The Brazilian is currently on a 1-4 slump, but his losses came to former champions Dominick Cruz, Jose Aldo, Frankie Edgar and current 135-pound kingpin Aljamain Sterling.

With the addition, the UFC 276 lineup now includes:

• Pedro Munhoz vs. Sean O’Malley

• Lauren Murphy vs. Miesha Tate

• Bryan Barberena vs. Robbie Lawler

• Dricus Du Plessis vs. Brad Tavares

• Jessica-Rose Clark vs. Julija Stoliarenko

• Uriah Hall vs. Andre Muniz

• Maycee Barber vs. Jessica Eye