UFC star Sean O'Malley has big hopes for a potential rematch between himself and UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan.
A few years back, Sean O'Malley defeated Petr Yan in a really close fight that was decided via split decision. Now, in the present day, Sean is campaigning for a crack at the world title he once held, which is now being carried by Yan after he defeated Merab Dvalishvili to win it for the second time.
RELATED: Sean O'Malley remains confident that he can beat Merab Dvalishvili despite two losses: “That's definitely on my radarâ€
O'Malley feels like a logical first contender for Yan given the run he's been on as of late, but in equal measure, Dvalishvili had a great run as champion, and it would make all the sense in the world for him to get his own rematch.
In a recent interview, O'Malley spoke openly about the current state of the title picture at 135 pounds.
O'Malley is ready for Yan showdown
“I've been hearing Petr and Merab are going to fight for a long time – still nothing booked,†O'Malley said on the “Pound 4 Pound†podcast. “I don't know if it's Merab's nose or Petr's back. It sucks. One of those guys is obviously holding it up, and I don't think it's Merab. I think Merab would fight with his arm cut off. So I think Petr is probably just dealing with some injuries.
“He's the champ, and if he's going to come back (against) Merab – I fought Merab knowing I was getting surgery after with a torn labrum. Still, it was a close fight, and then I get the surgery and fight Merab again seven months later, just wanting to be back, just wanting the belt back.
“You can't fight Merab on half-assed camps. You need a full, full camp. You need to be fully healthy to fight Merab, and Petr probably knows that. So he's taking his time, as he should. He is the champ. You don't want to go out there and lose the belt because you did something you shouldn't do, so I get it. But also, if they want me vs. Petr next, I do think me vs. Petr Yan 2, rematch, is the biggest fight in bantamweight history. I think it's the biggest one you could possibly make right now, and the UFC would be risking (it) making Merab vs. Petr.â€
Quotes via MMA Junkie
Do you agree with O'Malley? Let us know in the comments below, BJPENN Nation!
Alex
Pereira believes aggression could be decisive in a potential
fight between Paulo Costa
and Magomed
Ankalaev.
With
Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight champion
Carlos
Ulberg sidelined by injury, Costa and Ankalaev are seeking a
title opportunity. Pereira believes his fellow Brazilian can defeat
Ankalaev by applying pressure.
Alex Pereira says Paulo Costa must impose his pace to defeat
Magomed Ankalaev
“Poatan†said Costa must impose his pace to beat Ankalaev. He
expects a more evenly matched contest if Costa hesitates.
“I think ‘Borrachinha' [wins],†Pereira told Laerte Viana. “He's
more aggressive. I think ‘Borrachinha' would do better. If he stays
there like will he or won't he [hesitant], then it will be a fairly
even fight. You don't know who takes it. But if he imposes his
game, his rhythm, I think he takes it.â€
Costa (16-4) and Ankalaev (21-2-1, 1 NC) have exchanged criticism
on social media, with Ankalaev accusing the Brazilian of declining
multiple offers to fight him. Costa has also publicly disputed the
UFC's proposed terms for his next bout, saying he wants to complete
the one fight remaining on his contract.
Dana White puts no stock in Alex Pereira's complaints against Daniel Cormier.
“Of course that's not true,†White said. “These guys are the most paranoid people on the planet. Like we're telling DC — I've never told DC to do anything, ever. It doesn't work like that. We don't operate like that.â€
Pereira's complaint seems primarily to stem from his personal animosity with Gane. “Poatan†lost his fight with Gane for the interim heavyweight title at UFC White House, and has since lobbied for a rematch, citing illegal blows from Gane as the reason for his loss. Pereira has had some issues with the UFC before, but this one seems to run a bit deeper for the former two-division champion. It also comes at the same time as UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland has been airing his grievances about the promotion. But for White, this is simply a normal part of fight promotion.
“I don't know. We have over 700 guys on contract, and we've talked about two of them being sideways right now,†White said. “This is normal when you're in this business. As you guys know — first of all, I've never told Rogan or DC or any of these guys to say anything about anybody. And one of the things, as a longtime fan of the fight business, I actually can't stand the commentators saying negative things about fighters or anything like that.
“But I don't tell anybody what to say. I don't tell the fighters what to say, I don't tell the commentators what to say. This thing all just plays out organically in the way that the fights are called, and whatever they say when they walk out here and they interview with you guys tonight. We don't police any of that stuff. If we did, Sean Strickland would've been gone three f*cking years ago, and we wouldn't even be having this conversation.â€
Michael
“Venom” Page says his new deal will pay him more than he earned
during his
Ultimate Fighting Championship tenure.
Page had promised an exciting performance against Nursulton
Ruziboev in September, the final bout of his UFC contract. He
won by unanimous decision, but the promotion opted not to re-sign
him. The Englishman now says his move to Misfits Boxing will bring
a substantial increase in earnings.
Michael Page compares three-fight Misfits contract with
earnings from six UFC appearances
Page produced highlight-reel knockouts in Bellator,
but all six of his UFC appearances went the distance. He finished
5-1 in the promotion, with his only loss coming against Ian
Garry.
Page (26-3) said he received offers from several promotions before
signing with Misfits. He expects to earn more from the three-fight
agreement than he did from his six UFC bouts, describing his new
compensation as roughly double what he previously earned. He also
said Misfits intends to launch an MMA show with him as a leading
figure.
“Misfits came with an absolutely crazy deal, which means I’ve
continued to grow and get better financially,†Page told Ariel
Helwani. “They have vision for the future. They're trying to get an
MMA show going, with me kind of lead that way, be the face of that…
I’ve left the UFC and I’m making more money. Like two times more,
maybe just over, and in a shorter period. In a three-fight deal,
I’ll make more than I have my whole UFC contract.â€
MVP reveals he’ll make more money in his
three-fight Misfits deal than he did during his entire UFC run,
with seven figures per fight: “Misfits came with an absolutely
crazy deal, which means I’ve continued to grow and get better
financially. I’ve left the UFC and I’m making more money. Like two
times more, maybe just over, and in a shorter period. In a
three-fight deal, I’ll make more than I have my whole UFC
contract.”
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani)
October 12, 2026