Sean O’Malley News
Merab Dvalishvili names two potential contenders for next UFC bantamweight title fight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 14, 2025
Merab Dvalishvili has two possible challengers in mind for his UFC Bantamweight Championship. Dvalishvili is riding high following his impressive performance against Umar Nurmagomedov in the co-main event of UFC 311. The Georgian titleholder was able to thwart his opponent’s grappling efforts and managed to outwork him for a unanimous decision victory. It was the first successful title defense for Dvalishvili and now he is looking ahead.
Tim Welch gives positive health update on Sean O’Malley: 'It makes me feel a lot better'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 30, 2025
Head coach Tim Welch has given an update on the health status of Sean O’Malley and it’s a positive one. O’Malley hasn’t been seen in action since losing the UFC Bantamweight Championship to Merab Dvalishvili back in September 2024. O’Malley underwent hip surgery after the fight and has been on the road to recovery. Now that he’s had a few months to heal up, many have been wondering how the “Suga” show is feeling.
ONE Championship's Jonathan Haggerty teases idea of showdown with UFC's Sean O'Malley
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 28, 2025
ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Haggerty knows how to rile up combat sports fans. In his latest attempt, “The General” took to his Instagram story with an altered image of him battling former UFC Bantamweight World Champion “Sugar” Sean O’Malley.
Cory Sandhagen calls for a showdown with former UFC champion Sean O'Malley: "He's going to get beat up"
Josh Evanoff - January 23, 2025
Cory Sandhagen wants a fight against former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley. ‘Sugar’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a September title defense against Merab Dvalishvili. The bout was Sean O’Malley’s second defense of bantamweight gold, having scored a decision win over Marlon Vera last April. Ultimately, ‘The Machine’ wound up outwresting the champion en route to a unanimous decision win in the main event of Noche UFC, ending the striker’s title reign.
Tim Welch explains why Sean O’Malley ditched social media following UFC title loss to Merab Dvalishvili
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 8, 2025
Sean O’Malley has taken a break from social media, and his head coach has explained why. O’Malley is currently recovering from surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left hip. It’s an injury that “Suga” was dealing with prior to his UFC Bantamweight Championship loss to Merab Dvalishvili. While some might’ve thought that the time away from training would make O’Malley want to rev up his business on social media, that isn’t the case.
Sean O’Malley reveals who he prefers to win UFC 311 title fight between Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 5, 2025
Sean O’Malley has a preference for who he wants the UFC bantamweight champion to be when he’s ready to return. O’Malley lost the 135-pound gold to Merab Dvalishvili back in September. The “Suga” show was outworked by his opponent, who effectively utilized his grappling to get the better of the now former bantamweight ruler. O’Malley was defeated via unanimous decision inside The Sphere in Las Vegas.
Sean O'Malley hopes to compete in future UFC Japan event after attending RIZIN 49: "There's good energy here"
Josh Evanoff - January 1, 2025
Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley wants to fight in Japan. ‘Sugar’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since his title defense against Merab Dvalishvili in September. Just over a year after becoming champion after beating Aljamain Sterling, Sean O’Malley’s title reign came to an end. ‘The Machine’ dominated in the UFC 306 headliner, ultimately earning a unanimous decision.
Sean O'Malley explains why he's taking a break from social media
Harry Kettle - December 27, 2024
UFC star Sean O’Malley has explained why he wants to take a break from social media ahead of his proposed return to the cage. As we know, Sean O’Malley is one of the biggest names in mixed martial arts. He has accomplished some amazing things throughout the course of his career, including becoming UFC bantamweight champion.
Sean O’Malley confirms he will be in attendance for UFC 311: “Need to see who I fight next”
Harry Kettle - December 7, 2024
UFC star Sean O’Malley has confirmed that he will be in attendance for the blockbuster UFC 311 event next month. For many, ‘Suga’ Sean O’Malley is one of the biggest names in mixed martial arts. He enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence in the UFC, capped off by him winning the UFC bantamweight championship by knocking out Aljamain Sterling. Following that, he went on to successfully defend the belt against long-time rival Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera.
Petr Yan shows interest in Sean O'Malley rematch with title shot unlikely: "I'm leaning towards it"
Josh Evanoff - December 3, 2024
Former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan wants another crack at Sean O’Malley. ‘No Mercy’ is fresh off his return to the octagon last month in Macau, China. Back for the first time since halting Song Yadong’s rise in March, Petr Yan met Deiveson Figueiredo. For his part, the former flyweight champion was undefeated since moving to bantamweight last year, recently beating Marlon Vera in August.
Daniel Cormier shares his bantamweight wishlist, including Sean O’Malley vs. Henry Cejudo
Harry Kettle - November 27, 2024
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has shared his wishlist for bantamweight, including Sean O’Malley vs Henry Cejudo. Ever since he lost the UFC bantamweight championship, we haven’t heard much regarding the future of Sean O’Malley. Some believe he should get an immediate rematch against Merab Dvalishvili, whereas others disagree. Right now, it seems more likely that Petr Yan or Umar Nurmagomedov will receive such an opportunity.
Sean O’Malley reacts to Merab Dvalishvili’s recent callout of Petr Yan: “Merab is absolutely s***ing himself terrified of Umar”
Harry Kettle - November 26, 2024
Sean O’Malley doesn’t believe that Merab Dvalishvili is overly interested in the idea of fighting Umar Nurmagomedov. As we know, Merab Dvalishvili is the rightful UFC bantamweight champion. He defeated Sean O’Malley to claim the belt for the first time and ever since then, fans have been wondering who he’ll defend against first. Some have suggested an O’Malley rematch, whereas others believe Umar Nurmagomedov and Petr Yan are the top two contenders – especially after the latter’s win over Deiveson Figueiredo last weekend.
Sean O'Malley still gives Ilia Topuria problems in UFC fight, says coach Tim Welch
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 31, 2024
Sean O’Malley’s coach Tim Welch has full belief in his fighter to give Ilia Topuria some issues if they ever fight. O’Malley may have lost the UFC Bantamweight Championship to Merab Dvalishvili back in September, but Welch believes a future clash with Topuria remains possible. Obviously, the “Suga” show will need to focus on regaining the 135-pound gold before looking at the featherweight king.
Sean O’Malley makes case for Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria: "You can't tell me that isn't a fight you would want to see"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 28, 2024
If Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria is eventually booked, count Sean O’Malley in. The former UFC bantamweight champion was watching Topuria put his featherweight gold at stake against Max Holloway. The two collided in Abu Dhabi this past Saturday. Going into the fight, Topuria vowed to be the first man to knock Max Holloway out.
Umar Nurmagomedov torches 'bum' Sean O'Malley for UFC title loss to Merab Dvalishvili
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 18, 2024
Umar Nurmagomedov has slammed Sean O’Malley for his efforts in a title-losing performance against Merab Dvalishvili. O’Malley and Dvalishvili collided inside the Sphere in Las Vegas for UFC 306. The “Suga” show had his moments, but Dvalishvili’s relentless pressure and grappling were on full display. It led to a unanimous decision win for the proud Georgian, who is now the UFC bantamweight champion.
Conor McGregor offers Sean O'Malley all-expenses paid trip to train with him in Ireland: "He would regain his title!"
Curtis Calhoun - October 14, 2024
Now that Conor McGregor and Sean O’Malley have squashed their beef, McGregor wants O’Malley and his longtime coach Tim Welch to train on his home soil. O’Malley lost the UFC bantamweight title to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 last month. The loss snapped a lengthy unbeaten streak and ended his bantamweight title reign.
Sean O’Malley sends Umar Nurmagomedov a warning over potentially losing bantamweight title shot: "Suck my sac if you don’t like that"
Cole Shelton - October 9, 2024
Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has sent Umar Nurmagomedov a warning. Nurmagomedov appears to be next in line for the bantamweight title shot against Merab Dvalishvili. However, O’Malley has been calling for a rematch and Dvalishvili has also expressed interest in it.
Cory Sandhagen tells Sean O'Malley to "quit acting like a troll" and agree to fight him
Cole Shelton - October 8, 2024
Cory Sandhagen wants Sean O’Malley to fight him once he’s healthy. Sandhagen says he was rooting for Jose Aldo to win at UFC 307 so that could be his next fight. But, after Aldo lost, Sandhagen is now turning his attention to O’Malley as he believes it makes sense, as the winner should get a title shot.