Sean O’Malley plans to wait for a title shot following UFC 324 unless money talks
Last Saturday in Las Vegas, former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley earned his first win since successfully defending his title against Marlon Vera in April 2024.
After enduring back-to-back losses to Merab Dvalishvili, O’Malley rebounded with a victory over Song Yadong at UFC 324, keeping his spot in the title conversation.
Despite losing two of his last three fights, “Suga” is confident about getting another title shot soon. The only scenario that might push him into taking another bout first is a financially lucrative offer.
Sean O’Malley eyeing a fight with Cory Sandhagen if title shot delays persist
There is considerable debate about whether O’Malley deserves another immediate title opportunity. Former champion Henry Cejudo has openly criticized the idea and said he might stop watching MMA if the UFC lets O’Malley fight for the belt again so quickly.
Meanwhile, the UFC seems to have alternative plans for O’Malley, including a matchup against skilled striker Cory Sandhagen, a fight that fans have long hoped to see at 135 pounds. O’Malley recently indicated he’s open to the Sandhagen fight after UFC 324, but only if the payout matches what he’d receive for a title bout.
“I’d ask if we could just wait for Petr and Merab to fight and let that continue,” O’Malley told the Ariel Helwani Show. “I want to fight for the belt. Otherwise, I’ll fight Cory—but only if he pays me like it’s a title fight.”
He added, “For me, this has always been about business. From day one, I wanted to make as much money as possible. Right now, because of my contract, I make more when I’m competing for title fights.”
Petr Yan prefers a rematch with O’Malley over a trilogy with Dvalishvili
While the UFC has yet to officially announce the next bantamweight title fight, champion Petr Yan appears to have voiced his preference. Since reclaiming the 135-pound belt in December, Yan has expressed interest in a rematch against O’Malley.
At the same time, Yan appears uninterested in an immediate third fight with Dvalishvili, advising the Georgian to defeat Umar Nurmagomedov once more to prove his worthiness for another title shot.
Dvalishvili has dismissed Yan’s comments, asserting that the UFC has already confirmed his status as the No. 1 contender. Whether this holds true after UFC 324’s outcomes remains to be seen.
Fan Take: This update fuels one of the hottest debates in UFC bantamweight history—who truly deserves the next title shot? Fans are eager to see whether the UFC prioritizes meritocracy or marketability, which could profoundly impact fight matchmaking and career trajectories in the division.
