Sean O’Malley believes he’s the champion the UFC needs right now.
This October, O’Malley will face the biggest test of his career when he fights former bantamweight champion Petr Yan at UFC 280. With a win, O’Malley expects to get the next crack at the bantamweight title against the winner of Aljamain Sterling and T.J. Dillashaw, which also takes place on that card, and when he does, he believes he will become the 135-pound champion the UFC has been looking for.
” I was trying to appear humble but you are absolutely correct. I f****** beat Petr, I’m going to be the champ, I’m going to fight for the belt,” O’Malley told Michael Bisping on Bisping’s YouTube channel. That’s what everybody wants. The UFC needs a champion like me. So yeah, you’re 100 percent right. I go out there and starch Petr, he face plants on Oct. 22 in Abu Dhabi, on a massive card, you’re pretty accurate in saying I’ll get the title shot.
O’Malley currently is the No. 13 ranked bantamweight in the UFC’s rankings, having never beaten a Top-10 fighter. “Suga” had the opportunity in his most recent outing against Pedro Munhoz at UFC 276, but the bout ended in a No Contest after O’Malley delivered an inadvertent eye poke that stopped the match. Still, a win over No. 1-ranked Yan would seemingly put him in that title conversation. O’Malley says that Sterling will be defeated by Dillashaw to make him the bantamweight champion.
“I’m pretty sure T.J. said he wouldn’t fight me for his title defense,” O’Malley said. There are two possible ways to look at this. You could look at that like he doesn’t want to fight me because he knows I’m good, or that’s pretty much the only reason I can figure out why he wouldn’t want to fight me. I am the greatest fight in this division for anyone.”
Dillashaw has certainly been harsh about O’Malley’s performance in the past. He said that O’Malley “has too much holes” to be champion. However, winning over Yan could change Dillashaw’s opinion. Because to hear him tell it, O’Malley believes he can beat Yan anywhere the fight goes, and he plans to silence his doubters at UFC 280.
“I believe this is going to be a sweet kickboxing match,” O’Malley said. “Petr says he’s a master of boxing, I believe I’m the best MMA striker in the UFC, so I do believe it will be a very interesting, high-level kickboxing match… I don’t think he’s coming to wrestle and if he does, I wouldn’t mind choking him. My jiu jitsu is very strong. I really haven’t gotten to show it at all.”
UFC 280 takes place on Oct. 22 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
TOP STORIES
Accusations. Aljamain Sterling responds to T.J. Dillashaw: ‘The guy’s still cheating, he’s still finding ways to cheat’.
Boxing. Cris Cyborg will face Simone Silva in professional boxing debut next month.
Trying. Kayla Harrison pleads for Cris Cyborg ‘winner take all’ fight, invites her to ‘juice to the gills’.
Retirement. Uriah Hall ‘stepping away’ from MMA following UFC 276 loss to Andre Muniz.
Boxing. Sam Alvey angles for Jake Paul fight after UFC release, reveals past sparring run-in: ‘He was a douche’.
No Deal. Dana White explains passing on Hulu deal out of respect for Mike Tyson: ‘I killed the deal’.
RIP. Martial arts legend ‘Judo’ Gene LeBell dies at 89.
VIDEO STEW
The MMA Hour.
Marlon Vera before UFC San Diego.
Dominick Cruz before UFC San Diego.
Jiri Prochazka on GQ.
LISTEN UP
No Bets. Breaking down the best bets at UFC San Diego.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Matchmaking.
Fans want the fight
Fighters want the fight
I have watched and listened … @PFLMMA will provide all money and handle all matters @KaylaH v @criscyborg
$1M each fighter + $2M winner bonus
PPV Super Fight … no more talk … decide the best inside the cage#KaylaCyborg
— Donn Davis (@DonnDavisPFL) August 10, 2022
Cris Cyborg doing a horrendous job with optics here.
Kayla’s own manager said people aren’t interested in her on PPV. She doesn’t have 1 fight related video on free YouTube with a million views… https://t.co/KVSuMHo43I
— Grand Slam Champ CrisCyborg.com (@criscyborg) August 10, 2022
AGAIN! pic.twitter.com/2AG9mnsehn
— Kayla Harrison (@KaylaH) August 10, 2022
17-21.
14-0.
— Kayla Harrison (@KaylaH) August 10, 2022
we would both be 0-0 in boxing…if you want these hands that badly.
— Grand Slam Champ CrisCyborg.com (@criscyborg) August 10, 2022
Quoting Someone isn’t twisting his words.
I just wish everyone would just stop twisting Dominic words man. This is frustrating. I’m friends with him. Yesterday, he told me that he loved me. No one could fake that pic.twitter.com/yYUUBI4gym
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) August 11, 2022
Exactly right DC https://t.co/wnEaYYUw90
— Dominick Cruz (@DominickCruz) August 11, 2022
Light heavyweight.
Poland 38 million this is doesn’t make you big star you say you don’t shy from opponent UFC asked me to fight you I said yes like every time @Mickmaynard2 let’s go I’m ready https://t.co/wU1fN4sjrp
— Magomed Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM) August 9, 2022
This is a dumb statement. Learn to read with comprehension.
— Jan Blachowicz (@JanBlachowicz) August 10, 2022
You lose your last 2 FIGHTS title shot earn not given @danawhite cannot save you for me @Mickmaynard2 don’t let this guy run from me i’m going to stop this guy https://t.co/d3CSHsc9gl
— Magomed Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM) August 9, 2022
MMA math doesn’t work. After being almost eliminated from the UFC, I made some adjustments and was elected Champ.
— Jan Blachowicz (@JanBlachowicz) August 10, 2022
I never promised you our fight @JanBlachowicz I just said you are the challange what I want to Cut.
Second thing is, Iam still waiting for answer from @gloverteixeira. Let me know if you aren’t interested. This is the year I will fight until the very end. I don’t care who.— Jiri BJP Prochazka (@jiri_bjp) August 10, 2022
I was already on this before you. “Send me location”~Kabib @danawhite @jgjoia @edblackhouse @ufc https://t.co/dt759d9l92
— glover teixeira (@gloverteixeira) August 10, 2022
UFC 282-December 10-Las Vegas
— Jiri BJP Prochazka (@jiri_bjp) August 11, 2022
Paulo Costa are in fighting shape.
10 days pic.twitter.com/wNDNfpqUOK
— Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA) August 10, 2022
Salesmanship.
Sellin the Ram. I’ve dripped blood sweat tears and semen in this truck. I ain’t takin no less than 22k
2017. 48,000 miles. The screwdriver opens the Tailgate. pic.twitter.com/953Gmum76z
— Bryce Mitchell (@ThugnastyMMA) August 11, 2022
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Jared Cannonier (15-6) vs. Sean Strickland (25-4); UFC Fight Night, Oct. 15.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Thank you for reading! Tomorrow, see you all.
EXIT POLL
If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let him know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram and like us on Facebook.
