After calling out Ilia Topuria at UFC 299, bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley is now turning his consideration towards the division’s top-ranked contender.
‘Sugar’ secured his first protection of the 135-pound crown on March 9, delivering a dominant performance in opposition to the one man to have defeated him in his blended martial arts profession so far, Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera. O’Malley scored himself a heaping dose of redemption, outstriking his challenger 232 to 89 and operating away with a win on all three scorecards.
Instantly following the competition, O’Malley referred to as for a superfight with present featherweight titleholder Ilia Topuria. The decision-out was met with immediate backlash with many pundits suggesting that Sean O’Malley was attempting to dodge the No. 1 ranked Merab Dvalishvili.
Now, ‘Sugar’ has seemingly modified his tune, declaring that he needs to struggle ‘The Machine’ subsequent.
“I WANT MARAB,” O’Malley wrote on X. “2025 can be legendary.”
Merab Dvalishvili has nothing, however respect for Sean O’Malley
Driving a 10-fight win streak courting again to 2018, Merab Dvalishvili left no query relating to his standing as the subsequent man according to his impressive victory over Henry Cejudo final month. ‘The Machine’ outworked the previous two-division titleholder, incomes a call victory within the course of.
“He’s very technical, his footwork and attain works,” Dvalishvili mentioned of Sean O’Malley throughout a latest interview with The Schmo. “I imply he’s working and getting higher and I take a look at him as a great problem, he’s a harmful opponent for me and as a fighter. I’ve a lot respect for him however all of us have to seek out out that is MMA, all of us noticed a kickboxing struggle on Saturday it was simply all strikes, he’s finished superb in opposition to grapplers earlier than, however let’s see how he does with me, I’m the subsequent man everyone knows.”
As for Sean O’Malley, the bantamweight champ is now 18-1 in MMA following the occasions of UFC 299.
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