Sean O’Malley, known as the “Sugar Show,” celebrated a victorious night at UFC 299 in March, defeating Marlon “Chito” Vera in a highly anticipated rematch. The win solidified O’Malley’s position as the 135-pound titleholder.
Despite the likelihood of facing Merab Dvalishvili next, O’Malley has expressed interest in challenging other fighters across divisions and even sports, including undefeated featherweight Ilia Topuria and top boxers like Ryan Garcia and Gervonta Davis.
While O’Malley acknowledges the challenges of fighting bigger opponents like Conor McGregor, he remains open to the possibility, citing the allure of a significant payday and the legendary status such a matchup would confer.
McGregor, who suffered a leg injury in his last UFC bout against Dustin Poirier, is set to return to the octagon against Michael Chandler at UFC 303. However, a potential matchup between O’Malley and McGregor seems like a longshot given their weight disparity and McGregor’s focus on returning to form.
O’Malley’s dream matchups, including facing Topuria or McGregor, appear increasingly unlikely as other contenders emerge. Max Holloway’s pursuit of Topuria diminishes O’Malley’s chances of securing that fight, while McGregor’s comeback fight against Chandler takes precedence over potential matchups with O’Malley.
Despite these challenges, O’Malley remains focused on his career and is particularly intrigued by the possibilities of facing boxers like Garcia, appreciating the hype and entertainment they bring to the sport.
In terms of rivalries, O’Malley maintains that his previous beefs are behind him, emphasizing that his interactions with other fighters are all in good fun.
He acknowledges the difficulty of potential matchups against tough opponents like Dvalishvili and Holloway but sees boxers like Garcia as comparatively easier challenges. O’Malley enjoys the banter and theatrics surrounding fights, appreciating personalities like McGregor and Garcia for bringing excitement to the sport.
While O’Malley’s desire for big fights remains evident, the feasibility of certain matchups, such as against McGregor or Topuria, appears slim. Nonetheless, O’Malley remains committed to his career and is open to facing challenging opponents across different divisions and even sports, embracing the entertainment value they bring to the sport of MMA.
