Sean O’Malley is back.
The undefeated prospect will meet Marlon Vera at UFC 239 on July 6 in Las Vegas, sources told ESPN.
The 24-year-old O’Malley (10-0) hasn’t fought since his March 2018 win over Andre Soukhamthath. Since then, he had surgery on his right foot and hip.
He also failed two out-of-competition drug tests for ostarine on Sept. 5 and Dec. 8. However, his two positive tests, according to the United States Anti-Doping Agency, were treated as a singular first violation because USADA concluded the trace amounts found in both tests were consistent with ingestion prior to Sept. 5. As a result, USADA suspended O’Malley for six months retroactive to Sept. 19, the date he was provisionally suspended. The suspension expired last month.
The flashy O’Malley, considered one of the rising stars in the sport, is 2-0 in the UFC.
Vera (13-5-1) has won three in a row. He most recently defeated Frankie Saenz via TKO last month.
The event, which will take place at T-Mobile Arena, will be co-headlined by Jon Jones vs. Thiago Santos for the UFC light heavyweight title and Amanda Nunes vs. Holly Holm for the UFC women’s bantamweight title.