Sean O’Malley, the current UFC bantamweight champion, is set to defend his championship against Merab Dvalishvili in the main event of Noche UFC at The Sphere in Las Vegas this weekend. With the event being highly anticipated due to its massive production budget and being hailed as „the greatest sporting event of all time“ by UFC CEO Dana White, O’Malley’s selection as the headliner speaks volumes about the promotion’s high regard for him. O’Malley himself believes that a victory in this fight could bring him closer to surpassing Conor McGregor as the biggest star in the UFC.
In a recent interview with ESPN during a media day, O’Malley expressed his belief that he is nearing Conor McGregor’s level of stardom. Although he acknowledges McGregor still has one big fight left in him, O’Malley sees himself as the next big thing in the sport. McGregor, who has been inactive since July 2021, was originally slated to face Michael Chandler at UFC 303 but had to withdraw due to a toe injury. The Irish fighter’s return is now expected in early 2025.
Setting Himself Apart from McGregor
When asked about what sets him apart from McGregor, O’Malley emphasized his activity in the octagon. While McGregor made a name for himself with his mic skills and a few standout performances, O’Malley prides himself on his consistency and frequency of fights. At just 29 years old, O’Malley has already had seven fights in under four years since his UFC debut in 2017, showcasing his dedication to his craft.
McGregor, once known for his busy fight schedule, has fought only four times in the past eight years, compared to O’Malley’s eight fights in a shorter span of time. McGregor’s career highlights include championships at featherweight and lightweight, as well as a lucrative foray into boxing against Floyd Mayweather. Despite O’Malley’s parallel interest in boxing, he remains focused on his MMA career for the time being, with potentially lucrative matchups against UFC stars like Ilia Topuria, Max Holloway, Umar Nurmagomedov, and Deiveson Figueiredo on the horizon.
Looking Towards the Future
While O’Malley acknowledges that a boxing match may happen in the future, he remains committed to his MMA journey and the opportunities it presents. With a clear focus on his upcoming fight against Dvalishvili and the potential matchups in the UFC, O’Malley is poised to make his mark as the new face of the promotion. As he continues to hone his skills and build his legacy, the comparison to McGregor serves as motivation for O’Malley to reach new heights in the sport.
Napsat komentář