Tag: Sean O’Malley

MMA News Today: Fans Left Bewildered After Sean O’Malley Voted ‘Best UFC Fighter’ In 2024, David Goggins Reveals DM Exchange With Strickland, & More

Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For July 12, 2024, we’re taking a look at: Fans Give Confused Reaction To Sean O’Malley Winning ‘Best UFC Fighter’ At The ESPYs ESPN’s annual awards, The ESPYs, took place last night where Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley […]

Continue Reading MMA News Today: Fans Left Bewildered After Sean O’Malley Voted ‘Best UFC Fighter’ In 2024, David Goggins Reveals DM Exchange With Strickland, & More at MMA News.

Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For July 12, 2024, we’re taking a look at:

  • Fans believe Pereira was snubbed over O’Malley
  • Goggins says Strickland has not replied to his challenge
  • Gane and Volkov set to meet again at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi

Fans Give Confused Reaction To Sean O’Malley Winning ‘Best UFC Fighter’ At The ESPYs

ESPN’s annual awards, The ESPYs, took place last night where Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley was named the best UFC fighter.

He came out on top in a category that featured three other world champions in Alex Pereira, Islam Makhachev and Weili Zhang.

The instant reaction from fans online was to question how “Suga” could have possibly won the category, considering what “Poatan” has done in recent times.

Whilst some fans questioned whether the period of time that is judged meant that the award was voted this way, many were simply baffled at the idea of Pereira not winning this award regardless of which time frame you want to look at.

“Bro sean has fought 3 ( 4 if you county the Pedro fight) times since 2022. Alex has fought 8 smh they did bad on this”

“Alright the UFC pushing Sean as the next superstar allegations are undeniable now”

“what exactly is the criteria lmao”

David Goggins Challenges Sean Strickland To Three Days Of Training For Three Rounds Of Boxing

David Goggins vs. Sean Strickland has turned into a surprising social media beef as of late, with both men speaking about one another in videos.

Following the former UFC middleweight champion’s comments about Navy SEALs and Goggins’ military career, the athlete and public speaker issued a challenge to him to test what Strickland is truly made of.

“Sean Strickland, I know you’re doing all this for clickbait. We had a DM the other day, me and you, back and forth. I was pretty much DMing you because you called me a b**** and talked about my military career and going out here once again and trying to, like you said in your DM, trying to be a clown. You’re an MMA fighter and you’re also a comedian so, you know, I’m not much of a comedian at all.”

As seen below, Goggins recently shared a look at the message that he sent to Strickland which has not received a reply as of yet, calling to train and spar with him.

He continued to say that he is done with exchanging videos and that this is his final offer- and whether the former champion takes it or not is up to him.

“You say you can f*** me up in training, I responded to that video to you and this is what I said. You have yet to respond to this and so anytime you want to train with me, I am ready to train with you. I am done with the videos.”

Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov 2 Reportedly Set For UFC 308 In Abu Dhabi

The UFC is heading back to Abu Dhabi in October for UFC 308, as has become a tradition for the MMA leader’s calendar.

A first match-up has been reported for this card with Ag. Fight claiming that former interim heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane will be facing Alexander Volkov in a rematch on October 26.

Many were expecting to see Gane return on the Paris card in September, after he reportedly turned down the option to fight Tom Aspinall at UFC 304 later this month.

Volkov will be looking to avenge his loss to “Bon Gamin” in 2021 off the back of a big victory over Sergei Pavlovich in Saudi Arabia last month.

Read more on the story here.

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Continue Reading MMA News Today: Fans Left Bewildered After Sean O’Malley Voted ‘Best UFC Fighter’ In 2024, David Goggins Reveals DM Exchange With Strickland, & More at MMA News.

Sean O’Malley wins ESPY for ‘Best UFC Fighter’ of 2024, beats out Alex Pereira, Islam Makhachev

Sean O'Malley wins ESPY award Best UFC Fighter of 2024 beats Alex Pereira and Islam MakhachevUndisputed bantamweight champion, Sean O’Malley has beaten out stiff competition in the ESPY Awards this year – besting fellow…

Sean O'Malley wins ESPY award Best UFC Fighter of 2024 beats Alex Pereira and Islam Makhachev

Undisputed bantamweight champion, Sean O’Malley has beaten out stiff competition in the ESPY Awards this year – besting fellow UFC champions, Alex Pereira and Islam Makhachev as the ‘Best UFC Fighter’ for 2024 – to many fan’s dismay.

O’Malley, the current undisputed bantamweight champion, is yet to book his return to action later this year – despite links to a massive showdown against surging Georgian force, Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 in September, at The Las Vegas Sphere.

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Winning Octagon spoils back in August of last year, Montana striker, O’Malley turned in a one-sided win over former champion, Aljamain Sterling, ending the Uniondale native’s record-setting run with a blistering second round knockout win in Boston.

And avenging his sole professional mixed martial arts defeat back in March in the main event of UFC 299, Sean O’Malley turned in a shutout unanimous decision win over Marlon Vera, successfully defending his bantamweight crown for the first time to boot.

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Sean O’Malley wins ESPY for ‘Best UFC Fighter’ of 2024

For those efforts, former Dana White’s Contender Series star, O’Malley has been awarded the ESPN awarded ESPY trophy as the ‘Best UFC Fighter’ of the year, besting other nominees, Alex Pereira, Islam Makhachev, and current strawweight champion, Zhang Weili.

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“THE SUGA SHOW,” ESPN MMA posted on their official X account. “@SugaSeanMMA takes home the ESPY for Best UFC Fighter.”

And receiving much flak for the victory, O’Malley’s victory over former middleweight champion and current light heavyweight kingpin, Pereira was questioned by fans aplenty on social media subsequently.

“Do you guys even watch MMA?”

“For beating Chito Vera? What about Alex Pereira??????”

“Over ALEX PEREIRA?!?!?”

“Bro, Sean has fought 3 (4 if you county (sic) the Pedro fight) times since 2022. Alex has fought 8 smh they did bad on this.”

“Absolute disgrace.”

“What exactly is the criteria lmao?”

Do you think Sean O’Malley should’ve won this year’s ESPY award?

Sean O’Malley wins ESPY for ‘Best UFC Fighter’ of 2024, beats out Alex Pereira, Islam Makhachev

Sean O'Malley wins ESPY award Best UFC Fighter of 2024 beats Alex Pereira and Islam MakhachevUndisputed bantamweight champion, Sean O’Malley has beaten out stiff competition in the ESPY Awards this year – besting fellow…

Sean O'Malley wins ESPY award Best UFC Fighter of 2024 beats Alex Pereira and Islam Makhachev

Undisputed bantamweight champion, Sean O’Malley has beaten out stiff competition in the ESPY Awards this year – besting fellow UFC champions, Alex Pereira and Islam Makhachev as the ‘Best UFC Fighter’ for 2024 – to many fan’s dismay.

O’Malley, the current undisputed bantamweight champion, is yet to book his return to action later this year – despite links to a massive showdown against surging Georgian force, Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 in September, at The Las Vegas Sphere.

gettyimages 1358329659 612x612 1

Winning Octagon spoils back in August of last year, Montana striker, O’Malley turned in a one-sided win over former champion, Aljamain Sterling, ending the Uniondale native’s record-setting run with a blistering second round knockout win in Boston.

And avenging his sole professional mixed martial arts defeat back in March in the main event of UFC 299, Sean O’Malley turned in a shutout unanimous decision win over Marlon Vera, successfully defending his bantamweight crown for the first time to boot.

gettyimages 1358171415 612x612 1

Sean O’Malley wins ESPY for ‘Best UFC Fighter’ of 2024

For those efforts, former Dana White’s Contender Series star, O’Malley has been awarded the ESPN awarded ESPY trophy as the ‘Best UFC Fighter’ of the year, besting other nominees, Alex Pereira, Islam Makhachev, and current strawweight champion, Zhang Weili.

89907324854

“THE SUGA SHOW,” ESPN MMA posted on their official X account. “@SugaSeanMMA takes home the ESPY for Best UFC Fighter.”

And receiving much flak for the victory, O’Malley’s victory over former middleweight champion and current light heavyweight kingpin, Pereira was questioned by fans aplenty on social media subsequently.

“Do you guys even watch MMA?”

“For beating Chito Vera? What about Alex Pereira??????”

“Over ALEX PEREIRA?!?!?”

“Bro, Sean has fought 3 (4 if you county (sic) the Pedro fight) times since 2022. Alex has fought 8 smh they did bad on this.”

“Absolute disgrace.”

“What exactly is the criteria lmao?”

Do you think Sean O’Malley should’ve won this year’s ESPY award?

Chael Sonnen Snubs Alex Pereira For 2024’s Best Male Fighter Thus Far: ‘When I Watched O’Malley…’

Former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen had an interesting pick for male fighter in his and Daniel Cormier’s recent mid-year awards. While the real interest in awards comes at the end of each calendar year, there’s been no shortage of action and memorable moments to digest on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage through the first […]

Continue Reading Chael Sonnen Snubs Alex Pereira For 2024’s Best Male Fighter Thus Far: ‘When I Watched O’Malley…’ at MMA News.

Former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen had an interesting pick for male fighter in his and Daniel Cormier’s recent mid-year awards.

While the real interest in awards comes at the end of each calendar year, there’s been no shortage of action and memorable moments to digest on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage through the first six months of 2024.

In line with that, ESPN recently released its mid-year awards. A 14-person voting panel including renowned journalists like Brett Okamoto and Brett Okamoto voted on a number of categories following UFC 303.

And that event contributed to one result, with 100 percent of the votes for Male Fighter of the Mid-Year going to UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira.

Pereira is the only titleholder to have emerged victorious twice in 2024, with “Poatan” following his knockout of Jamahal Hill in the main event of April’s milestone UFC 300 card with another brutal finish last month, this time at the expense of Ji?í Procházka on short notice.

While that run would perhaps make the Brazilian an obvious and unrivaled choice, one former fighter sees things differently…

Sonnen Favors O’Malley Title Defense Over Pereira’s Two Knockouts

During a recent episode of his and Cormier’s Good Guy / Bad Guy show on ESPN MMA’s YouTube channel, Sonnen left his co-host in shock with one of his mid-year award picks.

Despite Pereira’s dominant performances against two high-ranked former light heavyweight champs, “The Bad Guy” gave his nod to bantamweight kingpin Sean O’Malley.

“When you look at the Male Fighter of the Year, I’m going with Sean O’Malley,” Sonnen said. “When ‘Sugar’ Sean fought ‘Chito’ Vera, I did not know Sean was that good. I believed that Sean was the best guy in the world. I thought it was competitive; there’s guys that could beat him but he could beat them as well. But when he fought ‘Chito’ Vera and he dominated that…

“To watch the growth that Sean had (from the first Vera fight), not to mention the pressure he had going from the Apex to top of the bill, a $14.1 million gate, and you’ve got to follow the show Dustin Poirier put on,” Sonnen continued. “There was so much pressure on this young man, who is a showman. … Can you back up what you say? Not only did he do it, he did it for 25 minutes. 15 minutes in he could’ve put the brakes on…wasn’t good enough for him. He tried to finish that fight. … I thought it was the total package.”

Sonnen’s pick received a shake of the head from Cormier, who was firm in stating that Pereira is the correct and obvious pick.

Whether that will remain the case come the end-of-year awards remains to be seen. O’Malley would no doubt strengthen his case should he get past his expected next challenger, wrestling specialist Merab Dvalishvili.

But should Pereira face and defeat the man widely labeled his biggest threat at 205 pounds in Magomed Ankalaev, the debate could be wrapped up.

Continue Reading Chael Sonnen Snubs Alex Pereira For 2024’s Best Male Fighter Thus Far: ‘When I Watched O’Malley…’ at MMA News.

Sean O’Malley’s Coach Theorizes Conor McGregor Uncertainty Is Delaying Confirmation Of Merab Dvalishvili Title Fight At The Sphere

A fight between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili for the UFC bantamweight championship is all but confirmed. The fighters have been targeting each other online for months and have repeatedly suggested that they might main event the Riyadh Season Noche UFC event. O’Malley last defended his title in March against Marlon “Chito” Vera in dominant […]

Continue Reading Sean O’Malley’s Coach Theorizes Conor McGregor Uncertainty Is Delaying Confirmation Of Merab Dvalishvili Title Fight At The Sphere at MMA News.

A fight between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili for the UFC bantamweight championship is all but confirmed. The fighters have been targeting each other online for months and have repeatedly suggested that they might main event the Riyadh Season Noche UFC event.

O’Malley last defended his title in March against Marlon “Chito” Vera in dominant fashion. Dvalishvili on the other hand, secured his title shot by beating Henry Cejudo in February for his tenth consecutive win in the UFC.

With both fighters and fans worldwide awaiting an official announcement regarding their matchup, O’Malley’s coach has speculated the reason behind the delay from the UFC.

Sean O’Malley’s Coach Blames McGregor vs. Chandler For Delay In Dvalishvili Fight Confirmation

During a recent episode of the TimboSugarShow on O’Malley’s official YouTube channel, he and Tim Welch discussed whether the UFC has an interest in adding McGregor vs. Chandler to the UFC 306 card at the Sphere. If true, this can naturally lead to other major fights being shifted to different events.

“Sugar” highlighted that Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway is also rumored to be an option for the September 14 card. Yet again, the return of the Irishman can impact when and where this fight happens.

“The Sphere, and Dana keeps saying it’s going to be something f*****g crazy, and then you got Conor-Chandler maybe going around, you got Max-Ilia, you got me and Merab. You got f*****g some pretty big fights to possibly make, but honest to god, I have not heard from the UFC,” O’Malley said.

The champ’s coach agreed that the UFC could be eager to organize McGregor vs. Chandler at UFC 306. Because the Dubliner’s commitment has been called into question lately, Welch thinks that the UFC hasn’t been able to confirm the other fights on the card.

“It’s probably a tough thing for the UFC. It’s like, they want to let you know. If they knew, I’m sure they’d let you know right away. But when you’re dealing with someone like Conor McGregor, who’s just, one day he probably wants it, one day he doesn’t, one day he’s just booger sugared up, one day he’s this. They’re probably waiting on that.”

During his iconic run to becoming a double UFC champion, McGregor was known for fighting consistently and not pulling out despite injuries. However, his returns to the Octagon since fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the ring have been the exact opposite.

With nine weeks remaining before the Riyadh Season Noche UFC event, both O’Malley and his coach expect the official announcement for the Merab Dvalishvili fight to arrive as soon as possible should the promotion decide the bantamweight gold will be on the line at the Sphere.

Continue Reading Sean O’Malley’s Coach Theorizes Conor McGregor Uncertainty Is Delaying Confirmation Of Merab Dvalishvili Title Fight At The Sphere at MMA News.

Ilia Topuria tipped to become ‘Next Cody Garbrandt’ in UFC return: ‘He’s about to get pieced up’

Ilia Topuria tipped to become next Cody Garbrandt in UFC return he's gonna get pieced upExpected to make his return to action later this year in a title defense against rival, Max Holloway, incumbent…

Ilia Topuria tipped to become next Cody Garbrandt in UFC return he's gonna get pieced up

Expected to make his return to action later this year in a title defense against rival, Max Holloway, incumbent undisputed featherweight champion, Ilia Topuria has been told he will fall the same fate as ex-bantamweight star, Cody Garbrandt, by another foe of his, Sean O’Malley.

Topuria, the current undisputed featherweight champion, has been hemming and hawing when he will make his return to action to take on the surging, Holloway in the first defense of his 145lbs crown amid links to a host of dates in the final quarter of this year.

Ilia Topuria denies truning down rematch with Alexander Volkanovski in Australia the UFC never offered it
Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez – USA TODAY Sports

First expected to headline a Utah showcase for a UFC 307 against former champion, Holloway, Topuria has quabbled with the Hawaiian on social media this week, claiming he will become the first fighter to KO the fan-favorite ex-gold holder when they eventually share the Octagon.

Furthermore, the Spaniard expressed his interest in featuring at UFC 308 a month later in a trip overseas to Abu Dhabi, in order to compete in a Spanish-friendly timezone, however, the promotion are expected to work on a lightweight title fight between Islam Makhachev, and Arman Tsarukyan on that card. 

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Ilia Topuria tipped to suffer huge downfall in UFC comeback

Receiving flak from the likes of arch-rival, Paddy Pimblett, and often-mooted opposition, O’Malley for apparently dragging heels on a fight with Holloway, the latter has claimed Ilia Topuria will suffer a similar fate to the above-mentioned, Garbrandt and drop vicious losses in his first title defenses.

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“I tweeted, ‘How the f*ck is Ilia (Topuria) above me in the pound-for-pound? He’s five inches shorter and has less title defenses.’” Sean O’Malley said on his podcast. “Those are just facts, I wasn’t trying to be funny. I got a lot of hate for it. Buddy, I really could give a f*ck less where I’m at on the pound-for-pound.”

“Ilia is going to be the next Cody Garbrandt,” Sean O’Malley explained. “He won his nice little fight, he had his little Dominick Cruz, but he’s about to get pieced up by Max Holloway and then go downhill from there. Not really, I feel like Ilia is one of the most skilled guys in actually in the UFC – but f*ck Ilia.”

Do you agree with Sean O’Malley’s comments on the future of Ilia Topuria?