Sean O’Malley is looking to fight for UFC gold next time out, even if it’s for an interim title.
O’Malley is coming off the biggest win of his career as he defeated Petr Yan by split decision at UFC 280. After the win, many expected ‘Suga’ to fight Aljamain Sterling for the bantamweight title next, but Sterling has said he wants some time off.
Who Does Sean O’Malley Want To Fight For An Interim Title?
Now, if Sterling is taking time off, O’Malley is hoping to rematch Marlon Vera for an interim title and explains why it makes sense.
“I get it, Aljo cuts a lot of weight,” O’Malley said on his YouTube channel. “He’s probably already back up to 165, 170, he’s probably like, ‘I don’t want to cut weight again in the next couple of months, I want to enjoy it.’ … He wants to wait eight months. I get it, I do, but say the No. 1 contender, ‘Suga’ Sean O’Malley is ready to go in March, and the next guy in line, in my opinion, should be ‘Chito’ Vera. He just beat Dominick Cruz, beat Frankie Edgar, and beat some good guys. Why not have a little interim belt, and then the winner of the interim belt fight Aljo when he’s ready?”
O’Malley and Vera fought back at UFC 252 in the co-main event of August 2020 with Vera winning by first-round TKO. ‘Chito’ used leg kicks that hurt O’Malley’s leg and it gave him drop foot which caused the fight to be stopped.
The plan for Sean O’Malley is to return in early 2023 for the interim belt which would set up an undisputed title fight against Aljamain Sterling.
“It’s hard to say, but I think March is a good time for me. I like fighting in March. If they have a big card in March in Vegas, you can probably see me on there,” O’Malley said about when he wants the interim title fight.
Sean O’Malley is currently 16-1 and one No Contest and is on a five-fight unbeaten streak.
