Sean O’Malley, stepping boldly into the arena of champions, eyes a two-division conquest. His journey begins with his first bantamweight title defense.
He’s set to face Marlon Vera in a headline clash at UFC 299 on March 9. But O’Malley’s gaze is already fixed beyond, on featherweight champ Ilia Topuria.
The buzz? O’Malley’s been dropping hints everywhere. Texts to Dana White, podcast mentions, you name it. He’s pitching a showdown with Topuria in Vegas, come September.
“Me vs. Ilia in September in Vegas at the Sphere, Mexican Independence Day,” O’Malley shared with ESPN. He’s all in, flag and all, ready to make it happen.
Meanwhile, Topuria’s brushing off contenders left and right. Anyone who’s faced defeat by Alexander Volkanovski doesn’t catch his eye. But a tweet from Topuria hints at a change of heart, teasing a potential face-off with O’Malley.
Critics, though, aren’t letting O’Malley off easy. They question his choice to defend his title against Vera, a move seen as settling an old score from 2020. O’Malley’s defense? It’s all about the draw and the dough.
Options are on the table, and Umar Nurmagomedov’s name is among them. O’Malley admits, Nurmagomedov could be his toughest challenge yet. But he’s waiting for Nurmagomedov’s star to rise.
“People think I’m dodging tough fights,” O’Malley clarifies. He’s eyeing the big fights, the ones that make sense. And if Nurmagomedov can shine bright, he’s game for that challenge too.
In a candid moment, O’Malley admits to watching Nurmagomedov fight, at least once. The potential for a blockbuster bout is there, with Nurmagomedov’s skill and lineage. O’Malley’s ready, aiming for the fight that promises not just a challenge, but a spectacle.