Tag: Sean O’Malley

Marlon Vera Questions Merab Dvalishvili’s Chin Ahead Of Sean O’Malley Title Fight: ‘If You’re Getting Dropped By Cejudo…’

UFC bantamweight Marlon Vera can see former opponent Sean O’Malley stopping Merab Dvalishvili early when they square off at the Sphere. O’Malley, the reigning 135-pound champion, is currently gearing up for his second defense of the title since winning it from Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292 in Boston last August. “Sugar” got his divisional rule […]

Continue Reading Marlon Vera Questions Merab Dvalishvili’s Chin Ahead Of Sean O’Malley Title Fight: ‘If You’re Getting Dropped By Cejudo…’ at MMA News.

UFC bantamweight Marlon Vera can see former opponent Sean O’Malley stopping Merab Dvalishvili early when they square off at the Sphere.

O’Malley, the reigning 135-pound champion, is currently gearing up for his second defense of the title since winning it from Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292 in Boston last August. “Sugar” got his divisional rule underway in emphatic style this past March, dominantly outpointing “Chito” in their headlining rematch at UFC 299 in Miami.

Vera will be the first to return to action, battling Deiveson Figueiredo this Saturday in Abu Dhabi. The champ, meanwhile, is slated to put his gold on the line opposite Dvalishvili in the main event of UFC 306/Noche UFC.

O’Malley will look to stall the Georgian challenger’s title ambitions inside the unique surroundings of the Sphere on September 14. And should he connect with a shot early, Vera thinks he has a good chance of doing so…

Vera: O’Malley Could Finish Dvalishvili ‘If He Catches Him Early’

During his appearance at media day ahead of this weekend’s UFC Fight Night, Vera looked ahead to his opportunity to revive his title ambitions and commented on the next championship bout set for the 135-pound division.

After laying some heavy praise on his most recent opponent, the Ecuadorian gave a dismissive take on Dvalishvili, highlighting the knockdown he suffered opposite Henry Cejudo this past February as evidence he can be knocked out.

“(O’Malley’s) a great fighter. I would be more worried about Merab’s chin,” Vera said. “He’s been dropped by everybody. I mean, if you get dropped by Henry Cejudo, good lord. F*ck, that’s a f*cking four-foot motherf*cker right there. If he (O’Malley) catches him early, the fight could be over.”

O’Malley has shared a similar prediction, vowing to repeat the feat he achieved opposite Dvalishvili’s teammate in 2023 to deliver a statement-making second successful defense in Las Vegas this fall.

Continue Reading Marlon Vera Questions Merab Dvalishvili’s Chin Ahead Of Sean O’Malley Title Fight: ‘If You’re Getting Dropped By Cejudo…’ at MMA News.

B/R Pound-for-pound UFC Rankings: August 2024

July was an action-packed month for the UFC, with a handful of exciting Fight Night cards across the U.S. and a stacked pay-per-view in Manchester, England.…

July was an action-packed month for the UFC, with a handful of exciting Fight Night cards across the U.S. and a stacked pay-per-view in Manchester, England.…

Umar Nurmagomedov Dismisses Parallels In Fight Against Sean O’Malley: ‘It’s Never Gonna Be Close to Khabib & Conor’

Umar Nurmagomedov recently downplayed the comparisons between his prospective bout with Sean O’Malley and the infamous clash between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor at UFC 229. Umar is poised to face Cory Sandhagen in a highly anticipated bantamweight showdown, with the stakes potentially including a #1 contender spot. This bout will headline UFC Fight Night […]

Continue Reading Umar Nurmagomedov Dismisses Parallels In Fight Against Sean O’Malley: ‘It’s Never Gonna Be Close to Khabib & Conor’ at MMA News.

Umar Nurmagomedov recently downplayed the comparisons between his prospective bout with Sean O’Malley and the infamous clash between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor at UFC 229.

Umar is poised to face Cory Sandhagen in a highly anticipated bantamweight showdown, with the stakes potentially including a #1 contender spot. This bout will headline UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi, taking place this weekend at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island, United Arab Emirates.

The victor on August 3 is expected to earn the next title shot, facing off against the champion who emerges from the clash between O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili at Noche UFC in September.

While the reigning UFC bantamweight champion has undeniably ascended to the ranks of the promotion’s premier attractions, Umar believes that a potential bout with “Sugar” could never rival the intensity of the historic Nurmagomedov vs. McGregor showdown in October 2018…

Umar Believes O’Malley Won’t Cross Lines Compared To McGregor

During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Umar weighed in on the potential excitement surrounding a future bout with O’Malley. The 28-year-old Dagestani acknowledged that while their clash would certainly be intriguing, it wouldn’t match the fervor of his cousin’s UFC 229 matchup with “The Notorious”.

He highlighted that the genuine animosity between the former lightweight champions was unparalleled, making their rivalry iconic—an element that simply doesn’t exist in his case.

“It’s never gonna be close like Khabib and the Conor [fight],” Umar said. “Because they have personal hate. He [McGregor] talked bad about religion, family, and everything.”

Umar further remarked that while O’Malley is known for his trash-talking, he believes “Sugar” won’t stoop to the level McGregor did when he apparently insulted the UFC Hall of Famer’s family and religion.

“I see his personality, but I think he’s not too dirty of a person to talk bad about my family or my religion. But if we fight, it’s like, you know, the Irish vs. Dagestani again. It’s gonna be interesting, but I think it’s not going to be the same… I don’t have a lot of hate. I don’t worry about this man, and I just want to beat him. I just want to take his belt.”

Umar has exceeded expectations in his first five Octagon appearances, maintaining his undefeated streak with dominant victories despite setbacks due to injuries.

After a 13-month hiatus, he made a triumphant return this past March, securing a unanimous decision win over newcomer Bekzat Almakhan.

Continue Reading Umar Nurmagomedov Dismisses Parallels In Fight Against Sean O’Malley: ‘It’s Never Gonna Be Close to Khabib & Conor’ at MMA News.

Ryan Garcia wants Sean O’Malley and Conor McGregor in bare knuckle: ‘I’m a young lion’

Ryan Garcia wants Sean O’Malley and Conor McGregor in bare knuckle 'I’m a young lion'Amid his suspension from professional boxing competition following a failed drug test stemming from his decision win over Devin…

Ryan Garcia wants Sean O’Malley and Conor McGregor in bare knuckle 'I’m a young lion'

Amid his suspension from professional boxing competition following a failed drug test stemming from his decision win over Devin Haney, former world champion, Ryan Garcia has set sights on fights with both Conor McGregor and Sean O’Malley in bare knuckle fighting. 

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Garcia, a former interim WBC lightweight champion, saw his initial decision victory over former world champion, Haney overturned to an official ‘No Contest’ after he failed a post-fight drug test.

Staking his claim for a potential move to the UFC following a surprising call out from featherweight contender, Dan Ige, Victorville native, Garcia has now called for a bare knuckle fight with Octagon superstars, McGregor as well as undisputed bantamweight champion, O’Malley.

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Ryan Garcia welcomes BKFC fights with Sean O’Malley, Conor McGregor

“I would fight – what’s his name? Sean O’Malley – ‘Suga’ Sean O’Malley?” Ryan Garcia said whilst attending Super Rizin 3 in Japan. “Conor McGregor in bare knuckle. But yes, it’s a very big possibility. I know how to wrestle, I know how to do a lot of things that people don’t know. So yeah. I would do it. I would knock out ‘Suga’ Sean O’Malley’s rainbow hair off his head.” (H/T MMA Fighting)

Along with a fight against the likes of McGregor or Montana striker, O’Malley, outspoken puncher, Garcia welcomed the chance to take on former multiple-time and division world champion, Manny Pacquiao following his exhibition matchup in the Japanese promotion.

WBC expels Ryan Garcia after racist and xenophobic slur tirade on social media

“I would love to fight Manny Pacquiao – in a real fight, though, 12 rounds,” Ryan Garcia explained. “I wouldn’t do an exhibition at all. I would want to do a real fight, old lion versus young lion.”

Boasting a 24-1(1) professional record, Garcia’s sole professional loss came in the form of a knockout defeat to unbeaten finishing star, Gervonta Davis in the pair’s grudge match back in April of last year.

VIDEO: Sean O’Malley & Merab Dvalishvili Go Back & Forth While Face To Face For UFC 306 Promo

The lead-up to Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili’s UFC 306/Noche UFC headliner at the Sphere in September looks set to be a heated one. Mixed martial arts’ premier organization will stage its second celebration of Mexican Independence Day on September 14. Las Vegas is once again the host venue, but the Octagon will be in […]

Continue Reading VIDEO: Sean O’Malley & Merab Dvalishvili Go Back & Forth While Face To Face For UFC 306 Promo at MMA News.

The lead-up to Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili’s UFC 306/Noche UFC headliner at the Sphere in September looks set to be a heated one.

Mixed martial arts’ premier organization will stage its second celebration of Mexican Independence Day on September 14. Las Vegas is once again the host venue, but the Octagon will be in significantly different surroundings this time around.

Instead of the T-Mobile Arena, the 2024 edition of Noche UFC will take place inside the unique Sphere venue. For months now, UFC CEO Dana White has promised a sporting spectacle like nothing seen before.

Tasked with delivering on that with blockbuster action inside the cage are headliners O’Malley and Dvalishvili, who will collide with the former’s bantamweight championship on the line in the main event.

The pair have long gone back and forth over their matchup, and that trend shows no sign of waning as UFC 306 approaches…

O’Malley, Dvalishvili Trade Barbs Over Coach Altercation

“Sugar” and his Georgian challenger recently shared the same space to complete a promotional shoot for the highly anticipated Sphere show.

Unsurprisingly, things threatened to boil over. And as O’Malley and Dvalishvili exchanged words, their fellow UFC 306 fighter Alexa Grasso reveled in the tension…

The point of discussion appeared to surround an altercation between Dvalishvili and O’Malley’s head coach Tim Welch back in May. The incident also involved Aljamain Sterling, who had accused the trainer of heckling him from the corner during his title defeat to “Sugar” last August.

“I will smash O’Malley inside the cage and then smash his coach outside of the cage,” Dvalishvili said.

O’Malley told his upcoming opponent to follow through on his threats.

“If you have a problem with him, you can take it up with him. He’ll fight you. If that’s what you want. After the fight, you should definitely try to smack his face. You should definitely try that. That would be funny. You should try that.”

When Dvalishvili said he was hoping to catch up with Welch on the streets, O’Malley once again welcomed that possiblity.

“You could street fight him. I’d love to see that. You want to die? Is that what you’re saying? He’ll kill you.”

Continue Reading VIDEO: Sean O’Malley & Merab Dvalishvili Go Back & Forth While Face To Face For UFC 306 Promo at MMA News.

Sean O’Malley vows he beats Conor McGregor: “Let’s do it … I wouldn’t call out somebody if I didn’t think I could beat him”

UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley believes he would beat Conor McGregor in a potential fight.

O’Malley has praised McGregor early in his career for being so influential in his career, as ‘Suga’ tried to follow in the I…

Sean O'Malley reveals timeline for title fight with Merab Dvalishvili I'm hoping for The Sphere still

UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley believes he would beat Conor McGregor in a potential fight.

O’Malley has praised McGregor early in his career for being so influential in his career, as ‘Suga’ tried to follow in the Irishman’s footsteps. But, recently, the two have taken shots at one another and now O’Malley is calling for a fight with McGregor, which he believes would be one of the biggest fights ever.

“You know what’s crazy?” O’Malley said on his YouTube channel (via MMAFighting). “When I look at a professional athlete, a professional fighter who weighs 190, Conor probably weighs 190, right? 185? In the UFC, I look at that, I’m like, okay, I’m realistic. I weigh 155, 160. There’s weight classes for a reason, but I’m not gonna trip those guys.”

“I will trip Conor because I do believe I could beat Conor in a fight. I’m not just saying that. I think, stylistically, I could beat Conor in a fight. Not an easy fight. But I wouldn’t call out somebody if I didn’t think I could beat him in a fight. I think I beat Conor in a fight. At this point right now. He’s thick, but he’s short.”

If the UFC does make a fight between Sean O’Malley and Conor McGregor it would be a massive fight, and even though the Irishman would be much bigger, ‘Suga’ is confident he would beat the Irishman.

Sean O’Malley Calls Conor McGregor ‘Jealous’

Sean O’Malley and Conor McGregor had a recent back-and-forth on social media over ostarine and O’Malley sharing an article on how it can transfer through sweat by training with people. McGregor responded laughing at that claim, which is why O’Malley has turned his attention to fighting the Irishman.

“Conor does his little f*cking bump and puts a laughy face and, oh, that one drove me a little crazy,” O’Malley said. “I’m like, really, motherf*cker? This is science. I posted the scientific page it was on print, the science about it, which was good. People were like, ‘Damn, that’s legit.’

“I think Conor deleted the tweet, but I went on a little rampage. I was just sitting in my — it was that Monday that Tammy [my cow] died. I was in Vegas at my hotel room waiting to go to my faceoffs, had a little extra free time, grabbed my Twitter phone, and I was just f*cking Twitter fingers turned to Twitter fingers, tweeting it out. He’s a jealous b*tch, that’s what it is. On drugs.”

Sean O’Malley is set to headline Noche UFC on Sept. 14 against Merab Dvalishvili.