Sean O’Malley hopes 2023 is the year he and Marlon Vera finally get to settle their feud.
O’Malley and Vera have a sordid history together but for the moment, that is on the back burner as in February, Vera is set to face Cory Sandhagen in the main event of UFC Vegas 69. Currently on a four-fight win streak, a victory figures to put “Chito” on the cusp of a title shot, and so O’Malley says he plans to be in attendance for the matchup.
“I’m excited. I’m going to go,” O’Malley said on his BroMalley podcast. O’Malley said, “I am going to be in the front row and witness these warriors fight… It is a sweet fight. It is at APEX but I’m not fighting so I don’t give a f***.”
O’Malley and Vera have a tumultuous history together as Vera was the one to hand “Suga” his first MMA loss, a bout O’Malley dismisses entirely, claiming the outcome was caused by injury, not by Vera. Since then, both men have emerged as stars in the bantamweight division, with fans clamoring for a rematch, and if “Chito” can get his hand raised against Sandhagen, O’Malley believes that rematch could finally take place this year, with the bantamweight title on the line.
Though not officially announced yet, all signs point to current bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling defending his title against former champion Henry Cejudo early in 2023, with O’Malley most likely next in line, but O’Malley thinks there’s a world where instead, he and Vera end up fighting it out for the belt next.
“What’s going to happen? O’Malley stated that he didn’t wish to delve too deeply into this. Cejudo said, “Marlon Vera, a mere journeyman not strong enough to defeat Cory Sandhagen.” But that is not the truth. I used to call ‘Chito’ a journeyman, but that was before he beat all those good guys. I didn’t think ‘Chito’ was going to get as good as he did, but he’s gotten good. His skills have improved and he has my respect. I hope he beats Cory, and Aljo beats Henry, Aljo moves up to 145, and me vs. ‘Chito,’ July, massive fight, for the belt.
“Or, Aljo beats Henry, comes back, I sleep Aljo like [Marlon Moraes] did, and then I beat up ‘Chito. It doesn’t really matter what it is, so long as “Chito” does the job. Although I love Cory, me vs. “Chito” is an enormous fight. Cory anyone vs. me is a big fight. The biggest fight in the division is me vs. anybody, but me vs. ‘Chito,’ the people have been waiting for it, and it’s getting closer.”
First thing’s first though: Vera needs to take care of business against Sandhagen. A former interim bantamweight title challenger, Sandhagen is one of the most dangerous fighters in the division and presents substantial challenges for Vera, but O’Malley believes the circumstances of the fight — five rounds at the UFC APEX — do ultimately favor his rival.
” I think Cory will bounce around and be quick — people look great against ‘Chito’ young,” O’Malley stated. I feel that everyone wins the first round. F****** Frankie Edgar won 14 minutes of the fight and then got head-kicked by that god damn toe. It’s hard to say. Five rounds would be sufficient. Small cages are better for ‘Chito. Cory would be my choice if it were a big cage with three rounds. I don’t know. I’m excited for that fight. It’s going to be a sweet fight.”
UFC Vegas 69 takes place on Feb. 18.
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LISTEN UP
Heck of a Morning. Reacting to the Bellator vs. RIZIN New Year’s Eve event.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Happy New Year!
Happy 2023 to all MMA fighters & fans. 1yr ago today I started my mission to bring awareness & change to the sport’s pay & benefits.
I’ve used my platform to consistently amplify this message. Now it’s time to not just amplify but to implement change. Jan is here. https://t.co/ecbsrhrgyM
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) January 1, 2023
Happy New Year 2023 pic.twitter.com/rkTevlrzAU
— Valentina Shevchenko (@BulletValentina) January 1, 2023
Happy new year from the Holloways. pic.twitter.com/LhgeERq6qV
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) January 1, 2023
What do you want for 2023 ? Moicano wants Money Moicano wants Fight!!!! #ufc #mma
— Renato Moicano UFC (@moicanoufc) January 1, 2023
Happy New Year pic.twitter.com/eMExWnRvUQ
— Matt Hamill (@HamillHammer) January 1, 2023
Foot on the GAS #2023NewYear
— Dan Ige (@Dynamitedan808) January 1, 2023
Happy new year everyone , I hope it brings you nothing but joy
— Nathaniel Wood (@TheProspectMMA) January 1, 2023
2023 Happy New Year everyone! I wish happiness and all the best to all kind and good people! The long-awaited moment when war in Ukraine is over will come soon and all of our citizens will be free to live normal lives. We will definitely win! pic.twitter.com/gzTUWw3XYs
— Yaroslav “Dynamo” Amosov (@YaroslavAmosov) January 1, 2023
Cheers to another year!
*
#2023 pic.twitter.com/xpc30iLwcZ— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) January 1, 2023
Wishing you a good night! Good night! A great night of sleep it’s important for a great a day! Tomorrow should be a great first Monday in 2023! Work work and work!
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) January 2, 2023
Happy New Year pic.twitter.com/GIyVUkCOu9
— Gunnar Nelson (@GunniNelson) January 2, 2023
Bellator vs. RIZIN.
The emperor of MMA is back baby! Ladies and gentlemen Mr. @ScottCoker and his killer of @BellatorMMA let’s goooo #NewYearsDay2023 #tokyo #mma #fight #killas #supersaitama #RIZIN40 pic.twitter.com/VveL76LzKW
— Juan Archuleta (@jarchmma) January 2, 2023
Fantastic stuff from Chito Vera and Jalin Turner.
Had to ask my bro @chitoveraUFC about that weight cut stuff pic.twitter.com/bLFdKqhIy5
— Jalin Turner (@JalinTurner) December 31, 2022
Luke Rockhold could be back.
Bo Nickal.
Every UFC middleweight’s worst nightmare pic.twitter.com/Uq7Yy9zoe6
— Bo Nickal (@NoBickal) January 2, 2023
FINAL THOUGHTS
Go Dawgs!
Thanks for reading and see you tomorrow!
EXIT POLL
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Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/1/2/23535375/morning-report-sean-omalley-envisions-a-bantamweight-title-fight-with-marlon-vera-in-2023?rand=96749
