Sean O’Malley News

Sean O'Malley Merab Dvalishvili UFC 299 backstage
Sean O'Malley

Video | Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili trade words during intense staredown for UFC 306

Harry Kettle - September 13, 2024

UFC title rivals Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili traded words ahead of their showdown at Noche UFC this weekend. On Saturday night, Sean O’Malley will defend his UFC bantamweight championship against Merab Dvalishvili. It’s a fight that has been a long time coming, with Merab beating a parade of other top contenders in order to secure his shot at the gold. O’Malley, meanwhile, has beaten everyone he’s faced in mixed martial arts, and hopes to keep that streak going.

Sean O'Malley and Henry Cejudo
Sean O'Malley

Sean O’Malley sounds off on “little f**king weasel” Henry Cejudo ahead of UFC 306: “I’m a nightmare for him”

Harry Kettle - September 13, 2024

UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has gone off on Henry Cejudo ahead of the former’s return to the cage tomorrow night. This weekend, Sean O’Malley will defend his UFC bantamweight championship against Merab Dvalishvili. The expectation is that it’ll be a night to remember at the Sphere in Las Vegas, with these two fighters – who have drastically different styles – trading blows.

Sean O'Malley
UFC

Sean O’Malley explains why he prefers fighting grapplers over strikers

Cole Shelton - September 12, 2024

UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley says he would prefer to fight strikers over grapplers. O’Malley is known for his striking ability, so many would assume he would prefer to be in striking matches. However, speaking to Stephen A. Smith, O’Malley said that isn’t the case. Instead, he would prefer to fight wrestlers and grapplers all the time.

Max Holloway, Sean O'Malley, Merab Dvalishvili
Merab Dvalishvili

Max Holloway predicts Sean O'Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili: "If there's one hole he has..."

Curtis Calhoun - September 12, 2024

BMF titleholder Max Holloway shared his prediction for the UFC 306 main event between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili. O’Malley, the UFC’s bantamweight champion, will defend the title for the second time against Dvalishvili at UFC 306. The bantamweight headliner caps off a stacked card at the UFC’s annual Mexican Independence Day Weekend event.

Merab Dvalishvili
Sean O'Malley

Merab Dvalishvili claims issues with Sean O’Malley aren't personal: "This is for a UFC belt"

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 12, 2024

Despite the war of words with Sean O’Malley, Merab Dvalishvili claims it’s all business ahead of UFC 306. Dvalishvili has expressed his dismay for O’Malley and his team, coach Tim Welch in particular. There have even been threats to take the fight outside the Octagon, but Merab understands that risking his big UFC title opportunity mere days before the event could be disastrous for his career.

Merab Dvalishvili, Tim Welch, Sean O'Malley
Sean O'Malley

Merab Dvalishvili says he can "slap" Sean O'Malley's coach and "not get deported" ahead of UFC 306

Curtis Calhoun - September 11, 2024

UFC bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili isn’t worried about jeopardizing his U.S. citizenship if he decides to attack Sean O’Malley’s head coach. Dvalishvili and O’Malley square off in the UFC 306 main event this Saturday in Las Vegas. It’s been a long road to the UFC title for Dvalishvili, who earned the shot following a 10-fight winning streak.

Sean O’Malley Conor McGregor
Sean O'Malley

Sean O'Malley believes he could surpass Conor McGregor in star power soon: "I'm the guy"

Josh Evanoff - September 11, 2024

UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley believes he’s arguably a bigger star than Conor McGregor. ‘Sugar’ is set to return to the cage in the main event of Noche UFC on Saturday night in Las Vegas. Set to headline the promotion’s first card from The Sphere, Sean O’Malley will look to make his second title defense. Back for the first time since a decision victory over Marlon Vera at UFC 299, the bantamweight champion will face Merab Dvalishvili.

Daniel Cormier, Sean O'Malley
Merab Dvalishvili

Daniel Cormier says Las Vegas Sphere venue's aura could benefit Sean O'Malley against Merab Dvalishvili

Curtis Calhoun - September 11, 2024

UFC analyst and Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier feels Sean O’Malley will hold a distinct advantage over Merab Dvalishvili in embracing the unique aura of UFC 306. O’Malley and Dvalishvili headline UFC 306 this Saturday at the Las Vegas Sphere. The event will mark the first major sporting competition held at the venue.

Sean O’Malley
Sean O'Malley

Matt Brown dismisses notion that UFC protects Sean O’Malley: "They don’t need any specific star”

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 11, 2024

Matt Brown doesn’t believe the UFC brass is going out of their way to protect Sean O’Malley. O’Malley is set to defend the UFC Bantamweight Championship against Merab Dvalishvili in the main event of UFC 306. It’s a historic event, as it’ll be the first UFC show inside the Sphere. It’s an expensive endeavor and with O’Malley front and center, it’s led some to believe that the UFC is hoping the “Suga” show turns in a spectacular performance.

Sean O'Malley, Canelo Alvarez
Sean O'Malley

Sean O'Malley believes Noche UFC will crush Canelo Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga: "It'll all be about the Sugar show"

Josh Evanoff - September 10, 2024

Bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley believes Noche UFC will easily outsell Canelo Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga. ‘Sugar’ is set to make his return to the cage in the main event of UFC 306 this Saturday. However, this pay-per-view won’t be a normal one. The card will center around Mexican Independence Day and feature several high-profile names. In the main event, Sean O’Malley will look to make his second title defense against the rising Merab Dvalishvili.

Merab Dvalishvili
Sean O'Malley

Merab Dvalishvili dismisses wrestling-heavy strategy ahead of UFC 306

Curtis Calhoun - September 10, 2024

UFC bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili might try to beat Sean O’Malley at his own game this weekend inside the Octagon. Dvalishvili and O’Malley headline UFC 306 this Saturday at the Las Vegas Sphere. His bantamweight title shot comes after a long win streak in the cage, including recent wins over former champions Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo.

Sean O'Malley
UFC

Sean O'Malley's coach noncommittal on Umar Nurmagomedov getting next bantamweight title shot

Cole Shelton - September 10, 2024

Tim Welch, the head coach of Sean O’Malley is noncommittal on Umar Nurmagmedov getting the next bantamweight title shot. O’Malley is set to defend his bantamweight title for the second time in the main event of UFC 306 on Saturday against Merab Dvalishvili. It’s an intriguing fight and if ‘Suga’ wins, many expect Nurmagomedov to be next. Welch also had nothing but praise for the undefeated fighter.

Ilia Topuria, Max Holloway
Max Holloway

Sean O'Malley's coach explains how Max Holloway can beat Ilia Topuria at UFC 308

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 10, 2024

The coach of UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley thinks Max Holloway has a solid chance of dethroning Ilia Topuria. Holloway is set to challenge Topuria for the UFC Featherweight Championship at UFC 308 on October 26th. Topuria is a betting favorite going into the title fight. Still, fans haven’t forgotten about the spectacular last-minute KO that “Blessed” scored over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300.

Sean O'Malley and Henry Cejudo
Sean O'Malley

Henry Cejudo shares Sean O’Malley’s “weakness” as noted by three different training partners: “Am I a snitch?”

Harry Kettle - September 10, 2024

Henry Cejudo has shared what he considers to be Sean O’Malley’s big ‘weakness’ from apparent training partners. As we know, Henry Cejudo enjoys a good troll every now and then. He’s one of the best in the business at it, even if some believe his style is ‘cringeworthy’. Someone who he’s had more than a few interactions with in this regard is none other than Sean O’Malley.

Sean O'Malley, Henry Cejudo
Sean O'Malley

VIDEO | Sean O'Malley walks off Henry Cejudo's podcast after 30 seconds: "You're welcome!"

Curtis Calhoun - September 9, 2024

UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley used part of his pre-UFC 306 media availability to troll Henry Cejudo on his podcast. O’Malley will defend the UFC bantamweight title against the surging Merab Dvalishvili this Saturday in Las Vegas. The UFC 306 card marks the first major sporting event held at the Las Vegas Sphere.

Sean O'Malley
Sean O'Malley

Sean O'Malley explains why he's not concerned about Merab Dvalishvili's cardio and pace ahead of UFC 306

Cole Shelton - September 9, 2024

Sean O’Malley knows Merab Dvalishvili is known for his cardio and pace, but he doesn’t think that will play any role in their UFC 306 fight. O’Malley is looking to defend his bantamweight title for the second time on Saturday as he takes on Dvalishvili in an intriguing matchup. It’s a fight many fans are torn on who will win, but O’Malley is confident he will win the fight by KO and will do so early in the fight. With O’Malley thinking he will KO Dvalishvili early, he doesn’t his cardio will play any role.

Sean O’Malley
Merab Dvalishvili

Sean O’Malley shares theory on friendship between Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 8, 2024

UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley isn’t so sure that Aljamain Sterling and Merab Dvalishvili are the friends they say they are. O’Malley is set to put his gold at stake against Dvalishvili in the main event of UFC 306. O’Malley has already beaten Merab’s teammate, Sterling, to capture the 135-pound gold. Now, it’s Dvalishvili’s turn for a title bout.

Sean O'Malley
Sean O'Malley

Sean O'Malley vows to "open up" Merab Dvalishvili's cut at UFC 306

Cole Shelton - September 5, 2024

UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley plans to open up the cut by Merab Dvalishvili’s eye at UFC 306. O’Malley is set to defend his bantamweight title for the second time in the main event of UFC 306 at The Sphere in Las Vegas. It’s an intriguing matchup, but in the lead-up to the fight, Dvalishvili took to social media to show off a nasty cut near his eye.