What would a second UFC title look like for Sean O'Malley?
O'Malley shocked the world when he eliminated Aljamain Sterling to win the UFC Bantamweight title in 2023. Months later, O'Malley defended his belt for the first time in a Masterclass version against Chito Vera on UFC 299, which revenge his only career loss.
The 'Suga' era did not last too long, because Merab Dvalishvili de -propelled the champion from the atmosphere in September due to the unanimous decision on UFC 306.
O'Malley seems to arrange the score against Dvalishhvili in the main event of UFC 316 this Saturday.
Although the Rematch with Dvalishvili has its full focus, O'Malley knows that other fights are waiting for him with a title win in New Jersey.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Sean O'Malley -ogen Petr Yan and Cory Sandhagen Na UFC 316
O'Malley is not against fighting again against Dvalishvili after UFC 316. After all, they would be 1-1 in their series if O'Malley would pull the upset.
However, the former champion believes that there are larger fights than Dvalishvili.
“It depends on what the UFC wants,” O'Malley Kevin Iole told about the next step with a title win.
“I think there are big fights, I US. Cory [Sandhagen]Me vs. Petr Yan Rematch is, I think, much bigger than a trilogy with [Dvalishvili].
“But in the end I want to do what people want to do.
“What do the fans want? I vs. Merab 3, certainly have a small ring with it.
“Suga” versus petr yan 2, massif. I versus Cory, it's a big fight, “added O'Malley.
Petr Yan will be confronted opposite O'Malley's 'Beast' teammate Marcus Mcghee in UFC Abu Dhabi on July 26. O'Malley defeated Yan in a controversial split decision in 2022.
Cory Sandhagen, who has long summoned a competition with O'Malley, comes from a stop -victory earlier this month at former UFC Champ Diveson Figueiredo on UFC des Moines.
Sean O'Malley about why he immediately got Rematch with Merab Dvalishvili
Instead of fighting other contenders for the next title shot, O'Malley was offered a rematch with Dvalishvili from the bank.
O'Malley says that the booking of UFC 316 came with a lot of pushback from fans who claim that he did not 'deserve' the rematch after his title loss.
Speaking of how the fight was made, O'Malley thinks that Dvalishvili saw him as 'the easiest fight' available and signed the contract.
“I think Merab might do it in a certain way … He is like: 'Oh, I have to fight against Sean. I just defeated him. That is the easiest fight to make. That is who I want afterwards,” said O'Malley about Dvalishhvili.
Dvalishvili recently claimed that he went 'easily' to O'Malley in their first fight on UFC 306 and plan to finish him, not to kiss, in their rematch on UFC 316.