Sean O’Malley thinks he will rematch Marlon Vera this year, and it will be for the belt.
O’Malley and Vera fought in the co-main event of UFC 252 in August of 2020 with Vera winning by first-round TKO. Since then, both have become top contenders and Vera is set to face Cory Sandagen on February 18 – in a potential title eliminator, in a fight O’Malley says will be there to watch it.
Sean O’Malley on Chito vs. Sandhagen
“I’m excited. I’m going to go,” O’Malley said on his BroMalley podcast. “I’m going to sit front row, and observe and watch these two warriors compete… It is a sweet fight. It is at APEX but I’m not fighting so I don’t give a f***.”
Sean O’Malley is torn on who will win but does expect it to be a very exciting fight for the fans. If Vera does win, he thinks there is a potential scenario where Sterling moves up to featherweight and he rematches Vera for a vacant title later this year.
“What’s going to happen? I don’t want to think too far into that,” O’Malley said. “Cejudo: ‘Marlon Vera is just a journeyman, not good enough to beat Cory Sandhagen.’ You know what, that’s not true. I used to call ‘Chito’ a journeyman, but that was before he beat all those good guys. I didn’t think ‘Chito’ was going to get as good as he did, but he’s gotten good. He’s gotten really good, and nothing but respect for him. I hope he beats Cory, and Aljo beats Henry, Aljo moves up to 145, and me vs. ‘Chito,’ July, massive fight, for the belt.
“Or, Aljo beats Henry, comes back, I sleep Aljo like [Marlon Moraes] did, and then I beat up ‘Chito. Either way, it doesn’t matter to me, as long as ‘Chito’ gets the job done. I like Cory, but me vs. ‘Chito’ is a massive fight. Me vs. Cory anybody is a good sized fight. The biggest fight in the division is me vs. anybody, but me vs. ‘Chito,’ the people have been waiting for it, and it’s getting closer,” O’Malley concluded.
Sean O’Malley is coming off a split decision win over Petr Yan at UFC 280 to become the top contender.
