Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Sean O’Malley wants a “dream fight” with Conor McGregor
Sean O’Malley will look to continue his quick rise as he gets his first co-main event slot at UFC 252 against Marlon Vera. The undefeated 25-year-old’s popularity has been surging, and he’s looking towards bigger things in his future.
O’Malley says he wants to emulate the rise to superstardom of fellow strikers like Conor McGregor and Israel Adesanya.
“I think obviously Conor’s career went well, Israel Adesanya’s career went well, and I feel like I want a similar career like that,” O’Malley said on UFC 252 virtual media day. “(Conor and I are) pretty similar in fighting styles. We knock people out in the first round. We’re not afraid to say how the fight will play out.”
While he did mention wanting a similar rise to the top, O’Malley also noted how he’d want a future fight with McGregor despite them last competing three divisions apart.
“Probably Conor. I think fans would like that,” O’Malley said when asked what fight he’d like regardless of division. “I think that’s an exciting fight. That’s a fight that I feel like I could win. It’s not just like a ‘there’s not a chance,’ I feel like that’s a fight I could win. It’s a fight that would probably be a dream fight.
“I’m lighter, he’s heavier. I’m way faster than him. He hits hard, I’m good at not getting hit. It’d be interesting.”
O’Malley is tall for his 135 lb division, but McGregor would be multiple divisions heavier and had his last fight at 170 lbs.