Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has a plan in mind for his Octagon return later this year.
Sean O’Malley‘s attempt at redemption against Merab Dvalishvili fell short in the UFC 316 main event earlier this month. But despite making a slew of personal life changes ahead of the Dvalishvili rematch, O’Malley was submitted by the bantamweight champion in Round 3.
For the first time in his combat sports career, O’Malley has dropped back-to-back fights. After his second defeat to Dvalishvili, O’Malley is on the outside looking into the bantamweight title picture, and would likely need a switch-up at the top of the division to warrant a quick path back to the title shot.
Ahead of UFC 316, O’Malley’s coach Tim Welch hinted that his pupil’s bantamweight tenure might be coming to an end after a series of brutal weight cuts. But according to O’Malley, he isn’t going anywhere.
Sean O’Malley plans to delay potential featherweight move to pursue Merab Dvalishvili trilogy
O’Malley is one of the biggest bantamweights in the division, and he’s capitalized on his length and reach to become one of the top contenders. After two losses to Dvalishvili, O’Malley is in a similar position that Max Holloway was in during the BMF champ’s featherweight tenure, and O’Malley plans on following a similar path.
During a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, O’Malley confirmed a move to the featherweight division is still on the shelf.
“For me to earn another shot at Merab, I’ve gotta be undeniable,” O’Malley said.
“I have to go on a streak, win a lot of fights in a row and there’s a world that happens. I know I’m capable of beating Merab, I also know he’s capable of beating me, and there’s going to be part of me that always wants to get that one back. He’s the only guy that has beat me…
“If I don’t get that one back, I’ll be happy with how it played out. But there’s a world where I’m undeniable and get that one back, but I’m happy for him. Merab’s f—– on a crazy streak right now and the greatest bantamweight of all-time.”
Dvalishvili will likely face Cory Sandhagen for his next bantamweight title defense. Sandhagen most recently defeated former UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo last month at UFC Des Moines, and has been in the title mix for years.
Despite the Dvalishvili rivalry in the rearview mirror for now, O’Malley has plenty of intriguing options for a bantamweight return opponent. In the interview referenced above, O’Malley hinted that he already has a name in mind for his planned comeback later this year.
Max Holloway kicks off full-time lightweight move with Dustin Poirier’s retirement fight
After a long, decorated career at featherweight, Holloway will make the full-time move to lightweight and face Dustin Poirier in the UFC 318 main event next month in New Orleans. Holloway’s BMF championship will be on the line for Poirier’s last hurrah in the Octagon.
Three losses to Alexander Volkanovski led Holloway to pursue a BMF title matchup with Justin Gaethje at UFC 300, going on to earn one of the most iconic knockouts in UFC history. O’Malley will look to replicate a similar result when he returns to the Octagon later in 2025.
Holloway’s recent success shows that fighters can overcome disappointing losing skids and turn things around in their careers. While O’Malley could move to featherweight at a later date, he isn’t planning on giving up his pursuit of dethroning Dvalishvili.
- READ MORE: ‘People say I’m an actor’ … Aljamain Sterling reacts to UFC fighter ‘faking’ KO controversy