“So far, it’s like it’s not real – I feel like I’m playing a video game with cheat codes,” the UFC champion said at the post-fight press conference following UFC 292. “I was going to knockout Aljo in the second round, I had a feeling – that’s how it turned out. It’s just kind of crazy.”
“The fight went about as I envisioned. My main goal was not to let him put me down. I knew that if we fought in the stand-up, I would knock him out. I thought that the longer our fight goes in the standup, the better chance I had of knocking him out. I knew he would be confused about not being able to take me down. He was too confident in clinching with me, and I don’t think he had ever sparred or fought anyone like me. In striking technique, I outclass most people by a level”
O’Malley confirmed that in his first title defense he would like to rematch the only defeat of his career, which he suffered three years ago against Marlon Vera.
“Yeah, I’ve cast a rod just in case. I’m annoyed with the way he acts, the way he looks. I’ll go out there, I’ll beat him easily for a lot of money, so why not? I don’t consider myself defeated in the first fight because we didn’t even fight. The athletic commission canceled that result in my name. So when I beat him, we’ll be 1-0. Also, I wouldn’t mind knocking out Jerwonta Davis in boxing. A lot of people will think I’m kowtowing to Conor, but I’m telling you – this fight is going to happen.”
That said, the new UFC champion has made it clear that he is not interested in a rematch with Aljamain Sterling, who after his defeat signaled a desire to fight him again.
“I mean, I thought he was going up to welterweight, is it hard for him to race? Either way, not interested. Next question.”