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Tag: Sean O’Malley

  • Sean O’Malley: Only a Knockout Keeps Me in Title Mix

    Sean O’Malley: Only a Knockout Keeps Me in Title Mix

    Sean O’Malley says a decision win will not be enough at UFC Freedom 250. The former bantamweight champion insists he needs to finish Aiemann Zahabi to keep his name in the title conversation, and he is not interested in grinding out points on the scorecards.

    “I gotta finish Zahabi [to get a title shot], I can’t go out there and get a boring win,” O’Malley said, framing the matchup as a statement opportunity rather than a routine assignment.

    O’Malley made the comments ahead of the bantamweight bout, which is scheduled for June 14, 2026, as part of UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C. The reporting comes from Home of Fight.

    O’Malley expects the fight to stay on the feet, and he warned that Zahabi’s durability could force him to find the finish more than once. He said he may need to “land a knockout shot multiple times” because of how tough his opponent is.

    O’Malley Expects a Standing Fight at the White House

    The Suga Sean star dismissed the idea that the bout turns into a long wrestling match. “Little to none,” he said when asked how much grappling he expects, adding, “Everyone turns into a grappler at some point when you get hit enough times.”

    That framing matches how O’Malley has described Zahabi in recent interviews, painting him as a tough, durable opponent who will get hurt if O’Malley keeps landing clean. Zahabi was not O’Malley’s first choice for the card, which adds extra pressure to the call for a statement finish. O’Malley has been candid that he originally wanted a different fight for UFC Freedom 250.

    Zahabi brings a measured resume into the bout. He carries a 14-2 overall record, a 68-inch reach and an orthodox stance, with a six-fight UFC winning streak. He has finished eight of his 14 wins, each one coming in the first round, and he earned a unanimous decision over Jose Aldo at UFC 315 in May 2025. Zahabi has also pushed back on O’Malley’s pre-fight bets.

    A Crowded Bantamweight Picture

    O’Malley’s finish-or-bust framing carries weight in a stacked division. Cory Sandhagen has already called out O’Malley for the White House card, underscoring how many contenders are circling the bantamweight title.

    For O’Malley, the message is simple. He is betting that his timing and volume will create an opening before the scorecards become a factor, and on a historic White House card, that kind of finish would keep his name right where he wants it.

  • Sean O’Malley’s Response To UFC Freedom 250 Weather Concerns Is Very On Brand

    Sean O’Malley’s Response To UFC Freedom 250 Weather Concerns Is Very On Brand

    Sean O’Malley says he accepted that UFC Freedom 250 would be an outdoor event when he signed the contract and is prepared to deal with whatever conditions come his way on June 14 at the White House.

    O’Malley faces Aiemann Zahabi on the card and was asked by MMA Junkie about Joe Rogan’s concerns that the outdoor setting could affect championship-level bouts.

    “It’s at the White House, so you gotta deal with whatever you gotta deal with. That would suck to lose because of a reason outside of your skillset. May the best man win. If something plays a role because it’s outside and it affects the fight somehow, that would suck. It’s unfortunate, but none of us signed the contract thinking it was inside, you know what I mean? We all know it’s outside. We all know what we’re getting into. Maybe not to an extent, we don’t know what all is gonna happen, but we all know it’s gonna be outside and we’re gonna have to possibly deal with stuff. We all signed it.”

    Rogan recently said on his podcast that he does not believe championship fights should take place in uncontrolled outdoor environments, citing potential heat and bug issues. The Weather Channel currently projects nighttime temperatures in Washington, D.C., ranging from 67 to 85 degrees, with precipitation forecast unavailable at the time of writing. Thunderstorms are common in the area during the summer months.

    Dana White has previously acknowledged that it had rained for eight consecutive days at the White House since his team began building the venue.

  • Aiemann Zahabi Shuts Down Sean O’Malley’s UFC White House Bet

    Aiemann Zahabi Shuts Down Sean O’Malley’s UFC White House Bet

    Sean O’Malley tried to add a personal stake to his UFC White House bantamweight matchup against Aiemann Zahabi and got shut down in a single word, before also using his YouTube channel to air his feelings about the new fight kit he has been handed for the June 14 event.

    O’Malley had posted on X, proposing that the loser of their White House matchup have the winner’s country’s flag tattooed on them. Zahabi’s response was immediate and definitive, citing the Islamic prohibition on tattoos as altering what Allah created.

    “Haram brother.”

    The tattoo bet is dead. O’Malley’s design complaints are alive. Speaking on his YouTube channel about the new fight kits unveiled for UFC Freedom 250, O’Malley was pointed about what he thinks of them.

    “I don’t even know if I’m supposed to say but since you brought it up I feel like I can, they’re ugly. Mine were ugly. I don’t like them. I don’t like them. They’re not pink, which is fine. I’ve worn other colors, I’m not gonna not show up because my shorts aren’t pink. I’ll make my hair pink, whatever. But I’m just like, did they go on Fiverr?”

    O’Malley also noted he has been told the White House card is not a title eliminator despite Dana White’s public dismissal of that framing, though a strong performance against Zahabi would push him back into the bantamweight championship conversation. Zahabi is on a seven-fight winning streak heading into the matchup.

    UFC Freedom 250 takes place June 14 at the White House South Lawn in Washington D.C.

  • Sean O’Malley Originally Wanted Different Fight for UFC Freedom 250

    Sean O’Malley Originally Wanted Different Fight for UFC Freedom 250

    Sean O’Malley had a specific opponent in mind for UFC Freedom 250, and it was not Aiemann Zahabi.

    Speaking to FOX 11 Los Angeles, O’Malley explained why his original target for the June 14 White House card did not come to fruition, pointing directly at Yan’s reluctance as the reason the title fight did not materialize.

    “I was supposed to fight Petr Yan, the champ, the little Russian, but I beat him last time so he didn’t want to fight this time. That would have been a big fight. I’m fighting a guy named Aiemann Zahabi, he’s on a seven-fight win streak, he’s from Canada, a Canadian fella, so it’s kind of America vs. Canada-ish if you’re looking at it that way, which is kind of exciting. Very tough, very durable, very experienced. Very tough fight. An exciting challenge, he’s going to be more of a kickboxer style so it’s going to be a very exciting, electric kickboxing fight with little gloves on.”

    O’Malley and Yan previously met at UFC 280 in October 2022, with O’Malley winning a close decision. Yan subsequently won the bantamweight title by defeating Merab Dvalishvili, who had beaten O’Malley twice. A rematch with the belt on the line would have been one of the more commercially appealing fights on the White House card. Instead, Yan remains unbooked.

    O’Malley addressed the America versus Canada dimension of his Zahabi matchup in a separate interview with Against The Cage, keeping his focus on the competitive element rather than any broader narrative.

    “I’m not a very political person, I would say pretty much not at all. For me, it doesn’t matter who I’m fighting, but it is America vs. Canada, there’s a little bit of that to it. This is just man vs. man. We’re going to get locked in the doors and see who quits, see who breaks, see who gets knocked out first, that’s what it is every fight for me. But it is fun, there’s a little bit of the America-Canada thing, so it adds to it a little bit. Team vs. team, people like to pick teams, so there’s that aspect to it, but for me it’s just human vs. human.”

    O’Malley is coming off a win over Song Yadong in January that snapped a two-fight losing streak, both of those losses having come in title fights against Dvalishvili. A strong showing at the White House is his best argument for jumping back into the championship conversation.

    “Who knows, maybe if I would have went out there and finished Song in spectacular fashion I would have got the Petr fight. I don’t know. The UFC does what they do and all I can do is go out there and fight and put on performances, so if I go out there and get a beautiful performance, I don’t see how I’m not next for the title.”

    UFC Freedom 250 takes place June 14 at the White House South Lawn in Washington D.C., streaming on Paramount+.

  • Cory Sandhagen Calls Out Sean O’Malley for Avoiding UFC Matchup

    Cory Sandhagen Calls Out Sean O’Malley for Avoiding UFC Matchup

    Cory Sandhagen expressed frustration with Sean O’Malley after learning he would not be facing the former bantamweight champion next. Instead, O’Malley is set to face Aiemann Zahabi at UFC White House on June 14 in Washington, D.C., on a card headlined by Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje for the undisputed lightweight title.

    Following the announcement, O’Malley stated on The Ariel Helwani Show that he never turned down a fight with Sandhagen because the UFC never offered it. Sandhagen addressed O’Malley’s response ahead of training partner Elias Rodriguez’s fight at LFA 230 this Friday.

    Sandhagen Says O’Malley Should Have Pushed for the Fight

    “No, I mean the proper response — when you know that there’s a fight that everyone wants to see you fight in – the proper response when the UFC calls you and says, ‘Hey, we want to do you and so and so,’ you go, ‘Hey, what about this person? That’s who the people want to see,” Sandhagen told MMA Fighting. “That’s the proper response in that situation and that’s not what he gave.”

    Sandhagen acknowledged O’Malley’s explanation had some validity but maintained that the former champion should have advocated for the fight fans wanted. “It just sucks that the fans are calling for this one and it didn’t get to happen. That’s what sucks the most,” he said.

    Both fighters suffered title fight losses to then-champion Merab Dvalishvili in 2025, with Sandhagen dropping a decision at UFC 320 this past October. Sandhagen noted he was not particularly disappointed from a financial standpoint, as the fight would not have resulted in a new contract or significant payday.

    Payton Talbott Fight Offer Fell Through

    Sandhagen revealed that the UFC presented him with a matchup against surging bantamweight contender Payton Talbott, who dominated Henry Cejudo in the former two-division champion’s final MMA fight at UFC 323 this past December. “They kind of floated that idea by me and I was game for it, and then they went in a different direction,” Sandhagen said.

    The 33-year-old fighter confirmed he accepted the Talbott fight and began preparing for it before the UFC changed course. “I said yes to that fight. I thought that I was going to fight him for a couple days, started kind of getting ready for that a little bit, and then they decided to go in another direction and give me a different opponent, so that’s kind of where I’m at now.”

    Sandhagen Eyes Summer Return

    Sandhagen hopes to return to the octagon this summer, targeting International Fight Week as his preferred date. He outlined his plan to fight twice a year for the next few years before retiring from the sport.

    “I’m shooting on that and then just try to get two more a year for the next few years and then probably, that’ll be it for me. So I just want to fight twice a year for the next few years and then I’ll be a happy guy,” Sandhagen explained.

  • Sean O’Malley Admits Jealousy Over Ilia Topuria’s Richard Mille Deal

    Sean O’Malley Admits Jealousy Over Ilia Topuria’s Richard Mille Deal

    Former UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley recently made a rare public admission of jealousy after learning about Ilia Topuria’s new partnership with luxury watch brand Richard Mille. He described the Richard Mille deal as the type of ultra-luxury sponsorship that signals a fighter has crossed over from star athlete to global A-list status.

    O’Malley’s Honest Reaction

    O’Malley discussed his reaction on his own show after receiving news of Topuria’s announcement. His longtime coach and friend Tim Welch sent him a screenshot of Topuria’s Richard Mille signing, prompting an unusually candid response from the champion.

    “I am jealous. I haven’t felt the jealousy emotion in a long time,” O’Malley said. “I felt it when Tim sent me a screenshot: Ilia signs with Richard Mille. I was like, ‘Oh!’”

    The Significance of Richard Mille

    For a bantamweight champion who has built a strong personal brand and social following, O’Malley’s reaction highlights the prestige associated with Richard Mille partnerships. The luxury Swiss watch manufacturer is known for extremely high-profile athlete endorsements that often represent a fighter’s arrival at the highest levels of mainstream recognition.

    O’Malley’s honest assessment of his emotional response shows how even established champions view certain sponsorship deals as benchmarks of crossover success. His willingness to openly discuss feeling jealous demonstrates the competitive nature that extends beyond the octagon into business opportunities.

    Topuria’s Growing Profile

    Topuria’s Richard Mille partnership represents another step in the featherweight contender’s rising profile. The deal positions him among elite athletes across multiple sports who represent the luxury brand, suggesting his marketability has reached significant levels despite being relatively early in his UFC career compared to established champions like O’Malley.

  • Sean O’Malley Reacts to UFC 326, White House Card, Aspinall-Hearn

    Sean O’Malley Reacts to UFC 326, White House Card, Aspinall-Hearn

    Sean O’Malley shared his thoughts about the biggest topics in combat sports during his latest podcast with the MMA Guru — from Charles Oliveira’s dominant UFC 326 performance to his own booking on the historic UFC Freedom 250 White House card, plus his candid reaction to Tom Aspinall signing with Eddie Hearn.

    O’Malley Locked In for the White House

    “Suga Sean” confirmed he’ll be fighting on one of the most historic events in UFC history — UFC Freedom 250, set for June 14 on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., as part of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations. O’Malley will face Canadian contender Aiemann Zahabi in a three-round bantamweight bout on the main card.montanasports+1

    When asked about his inclusion, O’Malley didn’t mince words:

    “I mean, is it a surprise to anybody? I had to be on that.”

    He sees it as a massive growth opportunity for his brand, noting that millions of fans who don’t normally watch MMA will tune in simply because of the setting.

    “It’s an opportunity for the Sugar brand to grow and have millions of people that might not have ever seen me fight — because they don’t watch fighting — watch that night because it’s at the White House. I’m very grateful that the UFC put me on the card. It’s an opportunity to go out there, get a dub, beautiful performance, grow the brand — and it’s going to be f***ing epic.”

    O’Malley is coming off a unanimous decision win over Song Yadong at UFC 324 in January, looking to string together a winning streak after back-to-back title losses to Merab Dvalishvili.

    The Jones-Pereira Fight That Never Was

    O’Malley also weighed in on a rumored fight that apparently fell through ahead of the White House card.

    “It could have been a sneaky Jones-Pereira and they never ended up getting it done,” O’Malley acknowledged, suggesting a potential Jon Jones vs. Alex Pereira super-fight was discussed at some point before the card was finalized.

    The main event of UFC Freedom 250 will instead feature Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje in a lightweight title unification bout, alongside Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title.

    Oliveira Grapples His Way to BMF Gold

    Turning his attention to UFC 326, O’Malley shared his honest take on Charles Oliveira’s dominant unanimous decision win over Max Holloway for the BMF title at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

    Oliveira scored takedowns in all five rounds and won every round on all three scorecards (50-45 across the board) in what became a lopsided grappling clinic. O’Malley gave Holloway credit early:

    “Max looked so sharp the first 15, bro. When he was letting his hands go, jabbing high, jabbing low, twos straight — Charles Oliveira ate a couple shots, said, ‘F**k this.’”

    But he was also quick to give Oliveira his flowers, pointing out that the BMF title on the line may have clouded public perception of the performance:

    “I think if it wasn’t a BMF on the line, you would have just said, ‘Oh my god, Oliveira just dominated Max Holloway. This is really impressive.’ But I thought he looked good on the feet against Max.”

    O’Malley Baffled by Tom Aspinall’s Eddie Hearn Move

    Perhaps the most surprising topic of the podcast was UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall’s decision to sign with boxing promoter Eddie Hearn’s newly launched Matchroom Talent Agency. The deal is strictly commercial and advisory in nature — not promotional — as Aspinall remains under contract with the UFC.

    Still, O’Malley was visibly confused: “Tom Aspinall signs with Eddie Hearn? What the f**k — sign with Eddie Hearn?” He added: “I thought Tom left the UFC and said peace out on boxing.”

    The move comes at a tense time, with Hearn and Dana White on opposing sides of the combat sports business landscape following White’s launch of Zuffa Boxing. O’Malley didn’t think it was necessarily the wisest play for Aspinall:

    “I don’t know if that was a smart move. We will see. But that seems a little risky to me.”

    Aspinall has not competed since a no-contest against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in October due to an eye poke, with his return timeline still uncertain.

  • Sean O’Malley Has a Simple Strategy for Avoiding Cauliflower Ear

    Sean O’Malley Has a Simple Strategy for Avoiding Cauliflower Ear

    Sean O’Malley has become one of the UFC’s most popular fighters, and his unconventional approach to keeping his ears looking good is a prime example of why he’s gained such a following.

    O’Malley recently invited streamer N3on to his gym for a training session. As they were getting lunch together, N3on asked O’Malley how he was able to avoid getting cauliflower ear after a lengthy career that includes 16 UFC fights. The former Bantamweight joked that he avoids wrestling entirely in his fights.

    “Do I look like I know how to wrestle? You get that from wrestling. I don’t wrestle. Not me. I never wrestled a day in my life.”

    When an opponent gets on top of him, instead of fighting back, he just absorbs the damage until the end of the round.

    “I lay there and get beat up until the end of the round. You don’t watch my fights?”

    Sean O’Malley has faced several elite grapplers throughout his UFC career, most notably in back-to-back fights with Merab Dvalishvili that spanned a combined eight rounds. O’Malley dropped both bouts — a unanimous decision loss at UFC 306 in September 2024 when Dvalishvili stripped him of the bantamweight title, and a third-round submission defeat in the rematch at UFC 316 in June 2025.

  • “Just Give O’Malley A 30-24 At This Point” – Fans & Fighters Debate Sean O’Malley’s Chances At Gold After Decision Win Over Song Yadong At UFC 324

    “Just Give O’Malley A 30-24 At This Point” – Fans & Fighters Debate Sean O’Malley’s Chances At Gold After Decision Win Over Song Yadong At UFC 324

    It wasn’t the strongest performance, but it was a win when it mattered for Sean O’Malley, as he defeats Song Yadong in the co-main event of UFC 324.

    O’Malley seemed to have the advantage in the striking department during a quiet first round. Yadong, however, took control with a late takedown in spite of a guillotine attempt from O’Malley.

    Yadong’s grappling pressure was on display in the second round again, landing another pair of takedowns and controlling the action by focusing on O’Malley’s leg, compromising it.

    O’Malley turned up the heat in the third round, getting his striking going and scoring a decision win.

    Sean O’Malley Gets Needed Rebound With Decision Win Over Song Yadong At UFC 324

    https://twitter.com/JourdainAir/status/2015278769481584676?s=20

    This was O’Malley’s first fight after losing back-to-back bantamweight title fights to Merab Dvalishvili at Noche UFC 2: UFC 306 and UFC 316. O’Malley held the UFC bantamweight title from his win at UFC 292 until his first loss to Dvalishvili.

    Yadong is now 3-2 in his last five, entering tonight’s bout off a win over Henry Cejudo at UFC Seattle last year.

  • Sean O’Malley Apologizes for COVID Mask Stunt at UFC 324

    Sean O’Malley Apologizes for COVID Mask Stunt at UFC 324

    Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley addressed the controversy surrounding his COVID-style face mask during an initial staredown with upcoming opponent Song Yadong, while the Chinese fighter remained focused on the fight itself ahead of their co-main event clash at UFC 324 on Saturday, January 24, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

    The incident occurred at the UFC seasonal press conference in December 2025, when O’Malley wore a surgical face mask during the first face-off with Song. The gesture sparked immediate backlash, with many interpreting it as a reference to COVID-19’s origins in China.

    Sean O’Malley Clarifies COVID Mask Incident With Song Yadong Ahead of UFC 324 Showdown

    At Wednesday’s UFC 324 media day, O’Malley issued an apology for the incident. “My intentions were never harmful,” O’Malley stated.

    “It was supposed to be a little silly joke, you know, it was that, and it got taken out of [context]. I apologize if I offended anybody. It was never meant to be disrespectful, just me trying to have a little fun, and it turned into something else”.

    Song responded to the apology during his own media session, acknowledging O’Malley’s penchant for promotional tactics while dismissing any impact on his preparation. “Sean is very good at promotion. He likes to play little mind games, do things at the face-off, talk a lot online,” Song explained.

    “I don’t really care about that. I’m not here to play games with him, I’m here to fight. When the cage door closes, it’s just me and him, and all that talk and all that show doesn’t help him. I won’t let anything he does take me out of my focus”.

    The 28-year-old Chinese fighter elaborated on his perspective regarding the stunt. “I’m fine, but I believe we shouldn’t introduce racism into this sport,” Song remarked at media day. “Let’s keep it about the competition. He already expressed regret. In an interview from China, he apologized to fans. He’s trying to play mind games with me, but I’m not concerned about that. My focus is solely on the fight. I just want to win. I’m concentrated”.

    O’Malley enters UFC 324 on a two-fight losing streak, having lost the bantamweight title to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 in September 2024 and falling short in their rematch at UFC 316 in June 2025. The former champion holds an 18-3 MMA record and 10-3 UFC mark, with his last victory coming against Marlon Vera at UFC 299.

    Song, ranked fifth in the bantamweight division, carries a record of 22-8-1 overall and 11-3-1 in the UFC. The Team Alpha Male fighter most recently defeated former two-division champion Henry Cejudo via technical decision in February 2025, earning the victory when the bout was stopped due to an accidental eye poke while Song was ahead on the scorecards.

    Both fighters view the bout as critical for their championship aspirations. O’Malley believes a victory positions him for a rematch with current bantamweight champion Petr Yan, whom he controversially defeated at UFC 280 in October 2022. Yan reclaimed the title by defeating Dvalishvili at UFC 323 in December 2025, ending “The Machine’s” reign after three successful title defenses.​

    “It’s got to be me versus Petr next, if I go out there and take care of business,” O’Malley declared at media day. “I think I go out there and put on a beautiful performance, [then] me versus Petr at the White House is huge”.

    Song similarly sees the fight as his pathway to title contention. “This fight is crucial for me because a win over Sean would be a major accomplishment,” Song acknowledged. “I’m just one step away from a title shot”.​

  • Ilia Topuria vs Arman Tsarukyan: Sean O’Malley can’t see UFC booking fight

    Ilia Topuria vs Arman Tsarukyan: Sean O’Malley can’t see UFC booking fight

    UFC star Sean O’Malley has explained why he can’t picture the promotion booking Ilia Topuria vs Arman Tsarukyan.

    Right now, Ilia Topuria is one of the biggest names in all of mixed martial arts – and perhaps combat sports as a whole. He has been able to tear through the likes of Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira, all via knockout. He’s also the reigning UFC lightweight champion, meaning there are plenty of potential contenders just waiting to get their shot at the gold.

    Right now, the likes of Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje are considered to be among the frontrunners – but in addition to that, Arman Tsarukyan threw his name into the hat with a dominant victory over Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar last weekend. Ilia Topuria, meanwhile, isn’t all too interested in the Arman fight, or that’s the way it seems.

    In a recent video on his channel, Sean O’Malley had the following to say about a potential Ilia Topuria vs Arman Tsarukyan showdown.

    Sean O’Malley can’t picture Ilia Topuria vs Arman Tsarukyan happening

    “Arman is no f*cking joke,” O’Malley said on his YouTube channel. “Arman vs. Ilia is an interesting matchup. I do not think the UFC will make Arman vs. Ilia because I think they love Ilia as a champion. He’s a great champion, and I don’t think they really want Arman to become champion. He has a f*cking legitimate chance of beating Ilia. Can’t believe I said it. I think Ilia might knock him out, but if anyone has a chance at beating Ilia at 155, it’s Arman.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

  • Sean O’Malley Confident He Is “The only one” In the UFC Who Can Beat Merab Dvalishvili

    Sean O’Malley Confident He Is “The only one” In the UFC Who Can Beat Merab Dvalishvili

    UFC star Sean O’Malley still firmly believes that he is more than good enough to compete with, and defeat, Merab Dvalishvili.

    In his two fights against Merab Dvalishvili, Sean O’Malley has come up short – once via decision, and once via submission. As such, the idea that he could beat him in a trilogy bout may seem ridiculous to a lot of people, and even ‘Suga’ acknowledges that some will roll their eyes at such a suggestion.

    Dvalishvili is coming off the back of another impressive victory, this time against Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320. For Sean O’Malley, of course, if he wants to even come close to a shot at ‘The Machine’, he’ll need to go out there and pick up some wins – which is exactly what he plans on doing.

    Sean O’Malley still believes he can beat Merab Dvalishvili

    “He’s very, very confident in his striking right now,” O’Malley said of Dvalishvili on his YouTube channel.

    “He can be [confident] because either his opponent’s gonna back up, and like, nothing really happens, or they’re gonna stand and try to trade. He’s gonna crack them, fall into a single leg, fall into a double leg, or they’re gonna get cracked with the right hand.

    “To beat Merab, you just have to land that shot,” O’Malley explained.

    “You have to be able to f—— snipe him.

    “And he was getting a little bit more reckless. The more confident he gets into striking, the more gaps it leaves open to be caught. That’s just the only [way]. I don’t see really anyone being [able to beat him].

    “I do think I’m the only one… I hate to say it. I hate to f—— say it. I’m the only one that could beat him. Give me a shot at the White House,” O’Malley said.

    “I gotta go out there and get some wins. I gotta get some wins. But, I don’t see anyone really beating Merab anytime soon.

    “He needs to be clipped, needs to be knocked out and put to sleep to beat him. I just don’t really see anyone other than myself being able to do that.”

    Quotes via Bloody Elbow

  • Sean O’Malley Confesses He Tried Too Hard to Mirror Conor McGregor And Lost Touch With Himself Before UFC 306

    Sean O’Malley Confesses He Tried Too Hard to Mirror Conor McGregor And Lost Touch With Himself Before UFC 306

    Sean O’Malley admits that walking in Conor McGregor’s shoes was both his inspiration and his misstep.

    O’Malley has repeatedly voiced his reverence for McGregor, crediting not just the former two-division champion’s fighting style, but even more so the larger-than-life aura that made him a global icon.

    At the same time, “Suga” never hesitated to measure his own rising stardom against McGregor’s, even believing he was on the verge of reaching the Irishman’s global fame.

    The former UFC bantamweight champion has always looked up to “The Notorious,” yet things took a strange turn last year when McGregor mocked him over his 2019 ostarine suspension. Still holding admiration for the Irishman, Sean O’Malley was left disappointed by the jab, sparking a brief exchange of shots on social media.

    Image: @sugasean/Instagram

    Sean O’Malley Admits Chasing Conor McGregor’s Persona Backfired

    During a recent appearance on Between Rounds, Sean O’Malley reflected on his respect for Conor McGregor’s accomplishments in combat sports. “Suga” admitted that in trying too hard to emulate McGregor’s persona both inside and outside the cage, he drifted away from his true self, a mistake he now sees as a factor in his struggles.

    “One hundred percent [I saw McGregor as a role model],” Sean O’Malley said. “The way he carried himself into fights, the confidence to say what he thought was going to happen – ‘I’m going to knock this dude out in Round 2.’ I got a lot out of that. I was like, ‘OK, I can be confident like that.’ I feel like I got lost, almost, in a sense, where I wanted to be like Conor too much instead of being like myself.”

    O’Malley admitted that mimicking “The Notorious” brought him some success early on, but the illusion faded ahead of UFC 306. In what became a turning point, the 30-year-old Montana native fell short against Merab Dvalishvili, surrendering his bantamweight crown in a one-sided unanimous decision.

    “That was my second title defense, and I was like, ‘I want this to be big.’ I didn’t feel like it was big. I didn’t feel like Merab was a big name. I had to force it. It was at The Sphere. I felt like I had to create something and I didn’t like how that made me feel, in a sense, because I didn’t hate Merab. I would have loved to knock him out. … I feel like I made that one too personal, and I didn’t like that – but that kind of the only time I really forced anything. The ‘Chito’ beef I felt was real. I didn’t like that. That was a real one, but the Merab one I feel like I forced a little bit.”

    “Suga” last stepped into the Octagon at UFC 316 this past June, where his bid to reclaim the bantamweight throne fell short in a rematch with reigning champion Dvalishvili. O’Malley now holds a promotional record of 10-3 with one no contest, boasting six knockouts among his victories.

    Sean O'Malley
    Image: UFC/Zuffa LLC

  • Sean O’Malley Addresses Retirement Rumors: “Life comes at you fast”

    UFC star Sean O’Malley has opened up on the possibility of him retiring from mixed martial arts sooner rather than later.

    As we know, Sean O’Malley is one of the biggest names in mixed martial arts today – and especially in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is a former UFC bantamweight champion and while he may have lost his last two fights to Merab Dvalishvili, many believe he still has what it takes to climb back to the top of the mountain, either at 135 pounds or 145.

    Recently, though, Sean O’Malley had some fans worried when he teased the idea of retiring at some point in the near future. Some felt as if he was just messing around but either way, it certainly feels like something he’d contemplate given how many other ventures he has outside of the fight game.

    In a recent interview, Sean O’Malley made it clear that he’s grateful for every single time he gets the chance to train and compete.

    Sean O’Malley discusses possible retirement

    “Life comes at you fast, but there’s no plans as of now to stop fighting. But you can never know what’s going to happen. Every time I get on the mats and I’m training, I’m grateful for that session.”

    ‘Suga’ went on to suggest that he could be back in the cage competing for the UFC by the end of the year.

    Sean is a determined guy and it’ll be interesting to see whether or not he continues to push for gold.

  • Sean O’Malley reveals he wanted short notice Cory Sandhagen fight

    UFC star Sean O’Malley has revealed that he was recently interested in pursuing a short notice fight against Cory Sandhagen.

    As we know, Sean O’Malley is coming off the back of two losses at the hands of Merab Dvalishvili. At this point, it certainly seems as if it’s going to take a lot for ‘Suga’ to work his way back to a title shot. With that being said, he has a lot of different directions he can go down – and he’s certainly talented enough to cause a lot of other bantamweights problems.

    Now, we know that Cory Sandhagen will be the one to get a crack at Merab Dvalishvili in what should be a fantastic title showdown. As for Sean O’Malley, we’ll have to wait and see what kind of contender fight he takes on next.

    In a recent podcast appearance, Sean O’Malley revealed that he was suggesting a short notice bout between himself and Cory Sandhagen recently.

    Sean O’Malley wanted Cory Sandhagen fight

    “I was actually trying to fight Cory when the co-main event fell out for that Max (Holloway) and Dustin (Poirier) fight,” O’Malley said on the “Overdogs Podcast.” “I threw my name out there to UFC. I was like: Three weeks, me vs. Cory would be sweet. But it didn’t really make sense for the UFC. Cory vs. Merab was the next fight to make. But yeah, me vs. Cory is a very interesting fight. That’s one that’s bound to happen – sooner than later.”

    “I think me vs. Cory,” O’Malley said. “Me vs. Petr (Yan) 2, I feel like that would be a banger. Me vs. Cory, me vs. Merab 3? No, I’m just kidding.”

    Quotes via MMA Junkie

  • Cody Garbrandt once again calls for showdown with Sean O’Malley

    Cody Garbrandt once again calls for showdown with Sean O’Malley

    UFC fighter Cody Garbrandt has once again made it clear that he’s interested in throwing down with Sean O’Malley at some point in the future.

    Once upon a time, Cody Garbrandt was the UFC bantamweight champion. He also spent a lot of time being viewed as the next big thing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, but unfortunately, things didn’t quite pan out that way. Following consecutive losses to rival TJ Dillashaw, his career seemed to unravel pretty dramatically – and that’s us putting it lightly.

    Nowadays, Cody Garbrandt is looking for fights that really motivate him. In a recent interview, he made it known that he still wants to fight Sean O’Malley, who he’s had an ongoing feud with for quite some time now.

    Cody Garbrandt still wants Sean O’Malley fight

    “I would love to f*ck him up,” Garbrandt told MMA Fighting while discussing his partnership with Indian Motorcycles. “He just always talks shit. I think he has an infatuation with me. He’s so jealous of me and I can’t believe he became a world champion.

    “He can’t wrestle for a lick, can’t defend a takedown. I mean, Merab straight bullied him. But he’s been calling me out forever, so I’ve been ready to fight that dude. I’ve got what it takes, I know how to beat this dude. The way that I fight, it’ll be a bad night for him. But that’s up to the UFC — I’ve tagged [Dana White], I tagged him in it. If that’s the next fight they want to do, I think that’s going to be a great pay-per-view fight, good drawing.

    “He’s got a good fanbase, but they’re younger, you know, the Twitch people, the video games, but I’m a dog. I would love that fight.”

    Quotes via MMA Fighting

  • Ilia Topuria’s Destruction Of Charles Oliveira At UFC 317 Leaves Sean O’Malley Grateful For Missed Fight

    Ilia Topuria’s Destruction Of Charles Oliveira At UFC 317 Leaves Sean O’Malley Grateful For Missed Fight

    Sean O’Malley wants no part of Ilia Topuria’s firepower.

    On Saturday night, Topuria turned his dream into reality, finishing Charles Oliveira with a vicious first-round knockout in the UFC 317 headliner to claim the lightweight title and cement his status as a two-division champion.

    “El Matador” handled Oliveira’s early grappling exchanges with composure before steering the fight back into his striking domain. He then uncorked a thunderous right hook that stunned Oliveira, followed by a pinpoint left hand that sealed the deal. The former lightweight champion collapsed to the canvas unconscious, prompting the referee to wave it off at 2:27 of the opening round.

    Before his lightweight triumph, Ilia Topuria had already left a trail of destruction in the featherweight division, first dethroning Alexander Volkanovski to claim the 145-pound title, then cementing his reign with a brutal knockout of Max Holloway in his first defense last year.

    Back when Topuria held the featherweight belt, former bantamweight titleholder O’Malley had campaigned for a champion vs. champion showdown. The bout never materialized, and after witnessing Topuria’s savage finish at UFC 317, “Suga” is more than thankful it stayed that way.

    Image: @ufc/X

    Sean O’Malley Feels Lucky UFC Passed On Ilia Topuria Matchup

    During a live reaction on his YouTube channel, Sean O’Malley had nothing but praise for Ilia Topuria following his stunning finish of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. Speaking candidly, “Suga” admitted that after witnessing Topuria notch three consecutive knockouts against elite competition, he now feels fortunate the UFC never followed through on his dream matchup with the newly crowned lightweight king.

    “Holy f**k,” O’Malley said. “Islam [Makhachev] vs. Topuria needs to happen. He’s up there with Jon Jones, man. Thank God he didn’t accept my callout. … After I beat ‘Chito’ [Marlon Vera], I called out Ilia and he got scared and ran to 155. No, I’m just kidding, thank God the UFC didn’t make that fight. Knocked out [Alexander Volkanovski], knocked out Max [Holloway], knocked out Charles. Islam next at 170 [pounds]? Holy f**k. Who would even fight Ilia at 155 next? Holy f**k”

  • Alexandre Pantoja Ready to Move Up and Face ‘Suga’: “I Would Fight Sean O’Malley for Free”

    Alexandre Pantoja Ready to Move Up and Face ‘Suga’: “I Would Fight Sean O’Malley for Free”

    UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja is ready to make the move up and face Sean O’Malley in the bantamweight division, suggesting that he’d even do it for free.

    Over the course of the last few years, Alexandre Pantoja has really come into his own as the champion at 125 pounds. He’s been able to turn back a parade of challengers and now, we’re at the point where he’s one of the best pound for pound fighters in the entire UFC. As we look ahead to the future, his next test will see him defend the strap against Kai Kara-France at UFC 317.

    Beyond that, though, nobody really knows what’s next for him. In a recent interview with Stake, Alexandre Pantoja made it known that bantamweight is a real possibility – and that he has an opponent in mind.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYBhYG1ncwc

    Alexandre Pantoja is open to Sean O’Malley fight

    “If it makes sense to the UFC, I think it’s going to happen. I would need to gain 10lbs of muscle, which takes time. For bigger guys, it’s easier to change weight classes, but I would need time. If I had the chance to fight for the belt, or fight someone like O’Malley, I would do it. 

    “O’Malley has stopped the weed, has more connection to his family, and maybe Merab made him humble, which is good for the world. O’Malley is super good, but Merab has something O’Malley never had. Merab had to fight to eat. I am very proud to have given my kids a good life, but I say to them, that they never had to struggle like me, and that’s the same with Merab and O’Malley. I would fight O’Malley for free.”

    Quotes via Stake

  • Sean O’Malley’s coach discusses timeline for possible UFC return

    Sean O’Malley’s coach discusses timeline for possible UFC return

    UFC star Sean O’Malley‘s head coach Tim Welch has given his thoughts on when ‘Suga’ could make his return to the cage.

    As we know, Sean O’Malley is one of the biggest names in all of mixed martial arts. However, in his last two fights, he’s been unable to stop the incredible rise of Merab Dvalishvili. He lost his UFC bantamweight championship to him in their first meeting, and then in the rematch, Sean was submitted by Dvalishvili as the Georgian sensation continued his reign at the top of the division.

    As we look ahead to the future, it’s hard to know exactly what the next step is for Sean O’Malley. He’s certainly good enough to still compete at 135 pounds, but others are of the belief that a shift up to featherweight would be in his best interests.

    In a video on his YouTube channel, Tim Welch was more than happy to discuss the next move for Sean O’Malley.

    Tim Welch discusses Sean O’Malley’s future

    “It’s so hard to say with him but again, right now we’re not going to clubs, we’re not f*cking partying, we’re saying no to trips. So what else are we going to do?” Welch said on his YouTube channel about O’Malley fighting again.

    “We’re coming to the gym twice a day. We’re going to train. Might as well [fight]. Might as well not let these years go by. He’s only 30 years old. Might as well just knock them out. Let’s just keep knocking them out.”

    “Look at Nate Diaz, how big of a star he is,” Welch said. “How many losses does he have? Jorge Masvidal, how many losses does he have? They’re still just f*cking huge draws. Huge stars.”

    Quotes via MMA Fighting

  • 7 Hits & 2 Misses From UFC 316: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley 2

    7 Hits & 2 Misses From UFC 316: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley 2

    For the third consecutive year, the UFC brought an early June pay-per-view offering to New Jersey. This year’s card was filled with some entertaining action and names, in addition to scheduled title bouts on the evening.

    The main event of the evening saw Merab Dvalishvili look to defend the UFC bantamweight championship against former champion Sean O’Malley. This was a rematch from their original encounter in the main event of the second Noche UFC event — UFC 306 — at The Sphere in September. Dvalishvili won a clear five-round decision to become the new champion and hand O’Malley just the second loss of his professional MMA career.

    While this was O’Malley’s first fight since losing the title, Dvalishvili retained the title against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 this past January.

    The co-main event also saw bantamweight gold at stake, as Julianna Pena defended her championship against Kayla Harrison.

    Pena returned to the Octagon and won back the championship in controversial fashion against Raquel Pennington at UFC 307 in October. Pena had also reigned as champion for about seven months after her shocking upset over Amanda Nunes at UFC 269 until losing the title back to her at UFC 277. Harrison is a former two-time PFL women’s lightweight champion; since joining the UFC, she has finished Holly Holm and scored a decision over Ketlen Vieira.

    Who pulled off all the stops in New Jersey? Who had a night to forget? Let’s look back with all the hits and misses of UFC 316!

    Hit: Yoo Joo-sang Lands A Picture-Perfect Quick KO For A Picture-Perfect Debut

    “The Korean Zombie” would be proud of “Zombie Jr.”

    The UFC 316 early prelims’ biggest highlight definitely came from Yoo Joo-sang, who delivered a solid knockout of Jeka Saraigh in less than 30 seconds.

    The finish looked something right out of the Jose Aldo vs. Conor McGregor UFC 194 ending. Saraigh attempted to charge forward on Joo-sang, firing off a one-two. Not only was Joo-sang able to keep away from the punches, but he also delivered picture perfect quick left hook. That simple shot was hit so accurately and perfectly timed that it was enough to cause Saraigh to faceplant unconscious to the mat.

    In his post-fight interview, Joo-sang promised to deliver a championship to “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung, who fell short of capturing UFC featherweight gold twice. If Joo-sang’s future performances echo his work in the short time we saw him here, and he continues to develop, maybe one day down the line that will be a possibility.

    Hit: Andreas Gustafsson Puts On Beating In UFC Debut

    If you ever read the name Khaos Williams, you know you just might be in for a solid fight. But it wasn’t Khaos who was bringing the chaos in this prelim fight — it was his opponent, Andreas Gustafsson, who put on the show in his UFC debut.

    Gustafsson set the tone immediately, charging into the clinch and landing knees, overwhelming Williams with constant pressure right from the get-go. Williams defended some of Gustafsson’s shots well, but his volume and pacing was too much.

    That set the tone for the rest of the fight. Gustafsson did damage early in the second and scored multiple takedowns during the round, controlling the fight against the cage and landing several knees and elbows, bloodying Williams up.

    Gustafsson continued the relentless pressure en route to a solid, dominant, one-sided decision win.

    After a strong performance on Dana White’s Contender Series last year, and following it up with this showing, I, for one, will be looking forward to watching Gustafsson’s next fight in the Octagon.

    Hit: Add Another Finish For Azamat Murzakanov

    Azamat Murzakanov has developed a reputation of a finisher, and it was the left hook that was his key to success in putting away Brendson Ribiero during the UFC 316 prelims.

    Some solid left hooks early on already did damage to Ribiero before another one dropped him. Murzakanov then murked his opposition by raining down ground-and-pound from multiple positions until Ribiero reportedly verbally tapped to strikes.

    This improves Murzakanov to 15-0 with 11 finishes and a 5-0 record since joining the UFC from DWCS. This a win streak that also includes knockouts of Tafon Nchukwi, Devin Clark and Alonzo Menifield, as well as a decision over Dustin Jacoby.

    Murzakanov has been ranked No. 12 for a little while now, and regardless on if this fight pushes him into the top-10 or not, it’s definitely time for him to face some top-10 ranked competition at light heavyweight.

    Murzakanov was scheduled to face Volkan Oezdemir a couple of years ago before having to pull out of the fight. Perhaps it’s time we see that one go down now. If not, some of the fighters Murzakanov is sandwiched between will all be facing off soon — with Nikita Krylov scheduled to face Bogdan Guskov in Abu Dhabi this July and Johnny Walker to face Zhang Mingyang in the UFC Shanghai main event in August. Those outcomes could also play roles in determining Murzakanov’s next matchup.

    Hit: Joshua Van Continues His Surge At Flyweight

    Joshua Van has been a name to watch at flyweight since arriving to the UFC a couple of years ago. And it seems he’s fitting more and more into his own, and that couldn’t have been further on display with his last-minute finish of Bruno Silva in the featured UFC 316 prelim.

    Van dropped Silva three times during the fight — which has never been done before in a flyweight UFC bout. Van kept his distance and was able to use his striking from there to overwhelm Silva over the course of the near-full three rounds. Van dropped Silva one time each over the course of the remaining two rounds. And after nearly finishing the fight with ground-and-pound at the end of the second, he managed to put him away in the third.

    Van is now 14-2 in his career and 7-1 in the Octagon, with his sole loss coming against Charles Johnson last year. Van will now be most likely just shy of the top 10 at flyweight, and one of the names in the top 10 — after some more shaking up potentially happens with 125-pound contests set for the rest of the summer — should be Van’s next opponent.

    Hit: Is Kevin Holland A Welterweight Contender For Good?

    There were questions about what Kevin Holland we were going to get entering this fight. Were we going to get the one who is laser focused and puts his power on display? Or were we going to get the one who’s more focused on talking and doesn’t put up as strong of a performance?

    Fortunately for fight fans, we got to see Holland at his best, as he opened the UFC 316 pay-per-view bout with a submission of Vicente Luque.

    https://twitter.com/HelmsMMA/status/1931539272848535819

    After stopping an early takedown attempt from Luque, Holland wobbled him with an elbow, starting a run where Holland’s physical advantages and striking helped to give him an early edge in the fight. Holland then dumped Luque to the ground in the second and managed to submit Luque with a D’Arce choke.

    Holland has now won three of five and is now 2-0 with two performance bonuses since dropping back to 170. Holland admitted in his post-fight interview that he hopes to be at welterweight permanently as opposed to jumping between there and 185. With Luque at No. 14 entering this fight, Holland may find himself back in the welterweight rankings — and we’ll see where things from here for the “Trailblazer.” Holland asked for Colby Covington next — and that might be a fight that could do wonders for him.

    Miss: Patchy Mix Falls Flat, Fails To Live Up To Debut Hype

    Let’s state this for the record: Mario Bautista hasn’t lost in four years and came into this fight ranked No. 10 at bantamweight. He’s has such upward trajectory, and Mix took this fight on about three weeks’ notice. Something does need to be said that Bautista has shown he is ready for higher-ranked competition.

    That, however, doesn’t deter from the fact that Mix looked awful in his Octagon debut.

    It’s always been stated that Mix was one of the greatest talents in MMA that wasn’t signed to the UFC. But you wouldn’t know that based on the way he fought at UFC 316.

    Mix looked flat. He was flat footed, with Bautista controlling the pacing and direction of the action. Bautista was more of the forward fighter, and Mix didn’t seem to get his hands going until it was way too late. Bautista managed to bloody up Mix over the course of three rounds, while Mix had little control, didn’t go for any takedowns, and just looked like the pressure got to him.

    Maybe this is just me overthinking, but Mix’s performance is a bit of a blow to the overall MMA landscape. It allows for the narrative to be pushed that “the UFC is the place to be” and that other organization’s top stars and champions can’t handle those of the UFC. The sad part is, we’ve seen much better from Mix to know he is better than this. And while I don’t want to take anything way from Bautista’s winning ways, the story here is going to be how much of a disappointment Mix was in the Prudential Center this evening — to the point a near-hometown crowd booed him at the end of the fight.

    You only get one UFC debut. Unfortunately, Mix blew it, and blew it big.

    Miss: Be Joe Pyfer? Maybe Not On This Night

    Sometimes we need to be careful when we talk about a fight being boring. A fighter’s ultimate objective is to win at any cost, and that sometimes means using his skillset and tools above putting on a show.

    The thing about Joe Pyfer’s performance in his win against Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 316 is that things completely fell off the rails after the first round.

    Pyfer dropped Gastelum in the fight’s opening seconds and dominated, overwhelming the soon-to-be UFC Hall of Famer with a variety of strikes, including another knockdown, via a head kick, that nearly finished the fight.

    Then, Pyfer went into cruise control from there. He threw single punches at the expense of working combinations. Gastelum’s striking appeared to get stronger as the round went on. Pyfer may have been in control for a time, but Gastelum prevented a takedown attempt of his — and most agree that Gastelum took the third round.

    When Pyfer was awarded his contract on DWCS, Dana White ripped other fighters for not having the killer instinct Pyfer had. Where was that killer instinct tonight? Because, yes, Gastelum is a tough fighter with a tough chin, but Pyfer had several moments early on where he could’ve finished the fight. Where did the Pyfer from round one go?

    For someone who was facing competition to determine if he’s ready for upper-level competition again after a loss to Jack Hermansson, I’m not sure this was it.

    Hit: Kayla Harrison Wins Gold, Amanda Nunes Is Back, The Dream Fight Is On

    When Raquel Pennington defeated Mayra Bueno Silva to become UFC bantamweight champion in January 2024 — months after Amanda Nunes bowed out of MMA, the conversations felt like women’s 135 had hit rock bottom.

    After UFC 316, that may feel like a bit of a memory.

    Days after Pennington’s title win, the UFC signed Kayla Harrison, fresh into a free agency after running out her contract with the PFL, where she was a two-time PFL women’s lightweight champion. There were plenty of questions about how she’d handle the cut down to 135, and while she looked rough in the weight cut for this title fight against Julianna Pena, she showed how dominant she could be.

    Receiving this title shot off a finish of Holly Holm and dominant decision over Ketlen Vieira, Harrison used her significantly larger frame and strength to overwhelm Pena and take her to the floor more than once. After threatening a couple of submissions, Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, locked up a kimura to score the tapout and UFC women’s 135-pound gold.

    It would be enough to talk about how Harrison was fulfilled her destiny in this sport and become a champion in multiple promotions, in more than one weight class at that, but then came the return of “The Lioness.”

    After multiple teases, Nunes confirmed in the Octagon that, despite her impending induction into the UFC Hall of Fame Class of 2025, she was coming out of retirement. And the plan is that we will get Harrison vs. Nunes next.

    This was a fight fans dreamed of when both were on top in their respective promotions years ago. Now, this fight is about to be reality. And I’m all about it. I don’t know about all of you, but I can’t wait to see when this fight goes down — and I hope these two get a pay-per-view main event billing.

    Hit: Men’s Bantamweight Is Merab Dvalishvili’s World

    Merab Dvalishvili had plenty of hype around him when he won a UFC contract through Dana White’s Lookin’ for a Fight years ago. And while he lost his first two UFC bouts, he has done nothing but win since. And at this point, even the UFC CEO admits it’s uncertain right now if anyone in the men’s 135-pound division can defeat him.

    Dvalishvili proved his first victory over Sean O’Malley was no fluke. Not only did he defeat an O’Malley that dropped all distractions and gimmicks, he finished him.

    Dvalishvili again showed that his wrestling was too much for “The Suga Show” to handle. And as he hunted for a submission in the third round, O’Malley tried to defend by going onto his back — only for Dvalishvili to impressively hold onto a choke and score a North-South choke submission victory.

    This makes it a dominant decision and finish over O’Malley, as well as a comeback decision win over Umar Nurmagomedov at the start of this year. Dvalishvili is an absolute beast in the cage, and tonight’s performance only proves that. Even though it’s rare for him to get finishes, tonight has shown it’s not out of his capabilities.

    Bantamweight is a killer division, and it’ll be exciting to see Dvalishvili vs. Cory Sandhagen if that truly is next. But at this point, we might be living in Dvalishvili’s 135-pound world for quite some time to come.

  • Sean O’Malley’s UFC 316 Loss Has Aljamain Sterling Eyeing Redemption Bout At Featherweight

    Sean O’Malley’s UFC 316 Loss Has Aljamain Sterling Eyeing Redemption Bout At Featherweight

    Aljamain Sterling is open to welcoming Sean O’Malley to the featherweight division for a rematch after watching his former foe submit at UFC 316.

    O’Malley suffered a brutal third-round submission loss in his rematch against Sterling’s close friend, UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili, this past Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

    Although “Suga” displayed sharper takedown defense and more calculated striking, he was ultimately overwhelmed by Dvalishvili’s relentless onslaught of takedown attempts, which ended with a north-south choke.

    Sean O’Malley captured the bantamweight crown with a TKO victory over Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292 in August 2023, a win many viewed as controversially stopped early by the referee. He then went on to defend his title once against Marlon “Chito” Vera at UFC 299 in March 2024, only to see his reign come to an end against Dvalishvili at UFC 306 in September.

    Image: UFC.com

    Aljamain Sterling Open To Facing Sean O’Malley Again At 145

    Following Sean O’Malley’s defeat to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 316, a fan on social media called for “Suga” to move up to the featherweight division and proposed a rematch against Aljamain Sterling.

    “Funk Master” warmly embraced the possibility of the showdown, saying he would jump at the chance to avenge his loss to O’Malley with a more polished, focused approach.

    “Let the former champ rest. But I would absolutely LOVE to show him what a healthy version of myself would do. He’s got great skills but I still know that was 50% version of myself,” Aljamain Sterling wrote on X.”

    After relinquishing his 135-pound crown to O’Malley, Sterling made the leap to the featherweight division and marked his debut with a commanding unanimous decision victory over Calvin Kattar at UFC 300 in April 2024.

    “Funk Master” most recently returned to action at UFC 310 in December, where he faced off against the undefeated Movsar Evloev. Despite a valiant effort, Sterling came up short on the judges’ scorecards in a closely contested bout.

  • ‘I Have More Tools In My Pocket’ — Merab Dvalishvili After Submitting Sean O’Malley At UFC 316

    ‘I Have More Tools In My Pocket’ — Merab Dvalishvili After Submitting Sean O’Malley At UFC 316

    Merab Dvalishvili’s rise shows no signs of slowing down.

    Dvalishvili successfully retained his bantamweight crown with a statement-making win over Sean O’Malley in their rematch, headlining UFC 316 this past Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

    https://x.com/UFCEurope/status/19315780739100713

    “The Machine” eventually cracked the code on O’Malley’s sharpened wrestling awareness, blending relentless pressure with pinpoint striking to overwhelm the former champion. While O’Malley entered with a more calculated approach, Dvalishvili’s relentless pace and suffocating grappling steadily wore him down.

    After drowning O’Malley in a wave of takedown pressure, Dvalishvili sealed the deal with a punishing north-south choke, earning his second win over “Suga”.

    Petr Yan Slams Sean O'Malley For UFC 316 Submission Loss To Merab Dvalishvili
    Image: @ufc/X

    Dvalishvili’s championship reign began at UFC 306 in September 2024, where he clinched a lopsided unanimous decision win over O’Malley.

    Merab Dvalishvili Highlights Preparation And Growth After UFC 316 Win

    After earning the first submission victory of his UFC career by finishing Sean O’Malley at UFC 316, Merab Dvalishvili reflected on the rematch during his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan.

    “The Machine” acknowledged O’Malley’s noticeable adjustments since their previous clash but emphasized that his own evolution hasn’t slowed—continually sharpening his arsenal and unveiling new weapons with each performance.

    “He was well trained, he was well prepared, and I knew that he was going to make changes because, Hey, every time I lost I made big changes and I learned from it,” Merab Dvalishvili said. “But I’m getting better and better. I wasn’t showing this technique [before] and I have more tools in my pocket I’m still working on, and then little by little I will show. Now it’s my time.”

    With this victory, Dvalishvili stretched his impressive winning streak to 13 consecutive fights. He kicked off his title defenses in dominant fashion against the previously unbeaten Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 in January, where the Georgian secured a commanding unanimous decision to maintain his championship reign.

    “The Machine” boasts a 13-2 UFC record, featuring commanding victories over elite former champions such as Jose Aldo, Henry Cejudo, Petr Yan, and a host of other top-tier contenders.

  • Petr Yan Slams Sean O’Malley For UFC 316 Submission Loss To Merab Dvalishvili: ‘Back In Line, Buddy’

    Petr Yan Slams Sean O’Malley For UFC 316 Submission Loss To Merab Dvalishvili: ‘Back In Line, Buddy’

    Petr Yan believes the UFC’s decision to grant Sean O’Malley an immediate rematch against Merab Dvalishvili had more to do with hype than merit.

    O’Malley challenged reigning bantamweight champion Dvalishvili in the UFC 316 headliner at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, where he ultimately suffered the first submission loss of his professional career.

    “Suga” entered the octagon with a noticeably more measured and tactical approach, showcasing improved takedown defense by stuffing six of Dvalishvili’s first eight attempts. But true to form, the Georgian powerhouse marched forward with trademark relentlessness, blending calculated pressure with crisp, well-timed striking.

    By the third round, “The Machine” had drained O’Malley’s gas tank with an unrelenting barrage of takedown attempts. Sensing the opportunity, Dvalishvili locked in a vicious north-south choke, forcing his opponent to tap and successfully making his second title defense.

    Merab Dvalishvili first claimed the bantamweight title by decisively dethroning Sean O’Malley at UFC 306 last September with a dominant unanimous decision.

    Image: @ufc/X

    Petr Yan Calls Out Sean O’Malley for Getting Ahead Without Earning It

    Petr Yan didn’t hold back on social media following Sean O’Malley’s failed attempt to reclaim the bantamweight title against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 316. The former champion took aim at his old rival, suggesting that O’Malley was gifted an unearned title shot.

    “This is what happens when you’re handed things you didn’t earn. Back in line, buddy @SugaSeanMMA,” Petr Yan wrote on X.

    The tension between O’Malley and Yan dates back to their razor-thin clash at UFC 280 in October 2022, where “No Mercy” suffered a highly controversial split decision loss — one that continues to stir debate to this day.

    With consecutive losses to Merab Dvalishvili, “Suga” now sits at 10-3 (1 NC) record in the UFC.

    Meanwhile, Yan, currently riding a two-fight win streak, is reportedly slated to face Marcus McGhee at UFC Abu Dhabi on July 26, set to take place at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, United Arab Emirates. “No Mercy” boasts a 10-4 record inside the Octagon and is aiming to reestablish himself in the title mix.

    Image: @petr_yan/Instagram
  • ‘The Type Of Champion That The UFC Needs’ – Fans & Fighters React To Merab Dvalishvili Putting On Dominant Display Against Sean O’Malley At UFC 316

    ‘The Type Of Champion That The UFC Needs’ – Fans & Fighters React To Merab Dvalishvili Putting On Dominant Display Against Sean O’Malley At UFC 316

    Merab Dvalishvili has been a grappling beast his whole MMA career, but the one knock on him may have been a lack of finishes.

    That knock can’t be applied to him in his performance at UFC 316, as he submitted Sean O’Malley in the main event to retain the UFC bantamweight championship.

    O’Malley stayed on the outside and tried to keep distance early in the opening round. While O’Malley scored a couple of decent shots early, a pair of slips, led him into Dvalishvili’s grasp. The defending champ scored a pair of takedowns during the round, delivering the same kind of top pressure that troubled O’Malley in their first meeting.

    The second round proved to be much closer, with both men having moments. Dvalishvili continued with his relentless grappling pressure, but O’Malley appeared to land the stronger strikes — and defended most of Dvalishvili’s takedown attempts well enough.

    The third round, however, saw Dvalishvili land a big takedown on O’Malley. No matter O’Malley’s defenses, Dvalishili’s top pressure was too much. Late in the round, Dvalishvili managed to lock up a D’Arce choke, even when O’Malley gets his back to the mat, putting Dvalishvili in the North-South position. The North-South choke scored Dvalishvili the tap to retain the gold.

    Merab Dvalishvili Retains Bantamweight Title Over Sean O’Malley At UFC 316

    This was a rematch from Noche UFC 2 (UFC 306), which saw Dvalishvili score a decision over O’Malley to capture the 135-pound championship.

    This was Dvalishvili’s second bantamweight title defense. He retained the title in comeback decision fashion against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311.

    This was O’Malley’s first fight since losing the title. It’s just his third professional MMA loss and second time being finished — following his loss to Marlon “Chito” Vera five years ago.

  • UFC 316 Results & Highlights: Merab Dvalishvili Submits Sean O’Malley

    UFC 316 Results & Highlights: Merab Dvalishvili Submits Sean O’Malley

    UFC 316 took place tonight from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights! 

    In the main event, Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley faced off for the bantamweight title. While in the co-main event, Julianna Peña took on Kayla Harrison for the women’s bantamweight belt.

    UFC 316 Results: Main Card 

    • Bantamweight Championship: Merab Dvalishvili def. Sean O’Malley via submission: R3, 4.42
    • Women’s Bantamweight Championship: Kayla Harrison def. Julianna Pena via submission: R2, 4.55
    • Middleweight: Joe Pyfer def. Kelvin Gastelum via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 30-27)
    • Bantamweight: Mario Bautista def. Patchy Mix via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27×2)
    • Welterweight: Kevin Holland def. Vicente Luque via submission: R2, 1.03

     
    Preliminary Card

    • Flyweight: Joshua Van def. Bruno Gustavo da Silva via TKO: R3, 4.01
    • Light Heavyweight: Azamat Murzakanov def. Brendson Ribeiro via TKO: R1, 3.25  
    • Heavyweight: Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Serghei Spivac via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28×2)
    • Welterweight: Andreas Gustafsson def. Khaos Williams via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26×2)

     
    Early Preliminary Card

    • Women’s Flyweight: Wang Cong def. Ariane da Silva via unanimous decision (30-27×3)
    • Featherweight: Yoo Joo-sang def. Jeka Saragih via KO: R1, 0.28
    • Lightweight: Quillan Salkilld def. Yanal Ashmouz via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28×2)

    Lightweight: MarQuel Mederos def. Mark Choinski via unanimous decision (30-27×2, 29-28)

    Preliminary Card Highlights

    Yoo Joo-sang def. Jeka Saragih

    Making his UFC debut, Yoo Joo-sang took just 28 seconds to KO Jeka Saragih.

    Azamat Murzakanov def. Brendson Ribeiro

    Azamat Murzakanov got the TKO in the first round of this light heavyweight matchup.

    Joshua Van def. Bruno Gustavo

    Joshua Van stopped Bruno Gustavo late in their flyweight bout.

    Main Card Highlights

    Kevin Holland def. Vicente Luque

    Kevin Holland locked in a D’arce choke to get the win in round two.

    Mario Bautista def. Patchy Mix

    Mario Bautista earned the win on the scorecards in this bantamweight fight.

    Joe Pyfer def. Kelvin Gastelum

    Joe Pyfer got the win on the scorecards in this middleweight bout.

    Kayla Harrison def. Julianna Pena

    In the co-main event, Kayla Harrison submitted Julianna Pena with a kimura at the end of round two to claim the women’s bantamweight title.

    Merab Dvalishvili def. Sean O’Malley 

    In the main event, Merab Dvalishvili submitted Sean O’Malley to retain his bantamweight title.