Sean O’Malley is closely watching his former adversary as Yan prepares to make his comeback in the Octagon.
In December, Yan delivered an outstanding performance at UFC 323 by ending his lengthy championship tenure and avenging his 2023 defeat to Merab Dvalishvili.
Most experts feel Yan’s dominant time as champion justifies an immediate rematch against Dvalishvili. However, Sean O’Malley, the ex-bantamweight champ and longtime rival of Yan, has advised against that next step.
O’Malley Cautions Yan Against Facing Merab Right After Back Surgery
Earlier this year in January, “Suga” Shawn returned to competition following two consecutive losses to Dvalishvili, taking on Song Yadong. O’Malley emerged with a narrow victory over the Chinese fighter, marking a much-needed positive return.
Following this win, O’Malley requested a rematch with Yan and expressed interest in facing him at the UFC White House event scheduled for June.
Yan is currently recuperating after recent back surgery, aiming to get back in the cage within a few months. Before Yan’s return, O’Malley warned against scheduling a fight with Dvalishvili, noting the risk linked to Yan’s back injury.
“I want Petr Yan next. I hate the idea of him jumping back from back surgery only to face Merab,” O’Malley said in a recent YouTube video. “Rushing back from surgery is dangerous — I did it with my hip, but back surgery is a whole different ballgame. I don’t know the extent of his injury, but it sounds serious. Then to go straight against Merab? Fighting Merab so soon after back surgery just sounds like a terrible decision.”
He continued, “I’m not a wrestler or grappler, and my last three fights show it with one win and two losses. Why risk fighting Merab when you can take on me instead?”
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Could the Yan vs. O’Malley Rematch Happen at the UFC White House Event?
With Yan targeting a comeback in the coming months, O’Malley’s hopes to time his fight advantageously could pay off. The UFC White House event on June 14 could feature “Suga” as one of the few American title contenders on the card.
Fan Take: This development could reignite one of the bantamweight division’s most compelling rivalries at a crucial moment in both fighters’ careers. For fight enthusiasts, a Yan vs. O’Malley rematch holds the promise of high-level striking and strategy, potentially shaking up the title landscape.
