Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has announced his return date and has expressed his preference for an opponent.
The former bantamweight champion has been out of action since losing his title to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306. This event was held at the Las Vegas Sphere in September.
Meanwhile, Petr Yan, another former champion at 135lbs, has been actively calling out Sean O’Malley following his victory over Deiveson Figueiredo in the UFC Macau main event last month.
Petr Yan and Sean O’Malley have unfinished business. Their October 2022 clash ended in a highly controversial split decision in O’Malley’s favour. Now, Yan is eager for a rematch to settle the score.
Sean O’Malley Responds to Petr Yan’s Viral Pregnancy Joke Amid UFC Return Speculation
Sean O’Malley has revealed he underwent hip surgery following his defeat at UFC 306. This was a procedure that would likely sideline him for around nine months.
This extended absence has prompted his long-time rival Petr Yan to take a playful jab at the situation. Speaking through a translator Petr Yan said in an interview with Ariel Helwani;
“I’d lean towards a rematch with Sean O’Malley, but I don’t know what’s going on with him,”
“He’s out for 9-12 months, so maybe he got pregnant… Understand as you wish.”
This remark quickly went viral, with Petr Yan doubling down by reposting the clip on social media with the caption:
“When is your due date? @SugaSeanMMA.”
Sean O’Malley has responded more seriously, suggesting he plans to return in April for a rematch with Merab Dvalishvili. This could leave Petr Yan without a potential opponent for his next fight.
Who’s Next for Merab Dvalishvili? UFC Faces Tough Decision on Bantamweight Title Challenger
The next challenger for Merab Dvalishvili’s bantamweight title remains uncertain.
Sean O’Malley, is currently ranked number one at 135 pounds, however, is coming off a one-sided loss to the Georgian champion. While a rematch is possible, Merab Dvalishvili may not want to wait until the second quarter of 2025 for O’Malley’s return.
Umar Nurmagomedov, who is the cousin of Khabib Nurmagomedov, is currently next in line by the rankings. However, with just one ranked victory over Cory Sandhagen many, including the champion believe Umar needs another significant victory to justify a title shot.
Petr Yan, sitting at number 3 was also dominated by Merab Dvalishvili in their March 2023 fight. However, he has since secured two victories since their defeat. Petr Yan feels he is ready to deliver a stronger performance in a potential rematch.
The rest of the top seven at Bantamweight are all coming off losses, adding to the challenge of finding a worthy contender. UFC President Dana White faces a tough decision, as O’Malley, Nurmagomedov, Yan and MMA fans eagerly await his announcement.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
