A notable figure from the world of UFC is publicly backing Sean O’Malley, expressing confidence in his ability to rebound following a significant submission loss at UFC 316.
The former UFC Bantamweight champion was attempting to reclaim his title in a rematch against Merab Dvalishvili, who had previously defeated him via unanimous decision at UFC 306.
Despite adjustments to his strategy and improvements in physical conditioning, Sean O’Malley was submitted by Dvalishvili during the third round of their second fight at UFC 316. This result marked the first instance in O`Malley`s professional career where he has faced consecutive defeats.
However, according to the perspective of one seasoned UFC veteran, this recent setback should not lead observers to doubt O’Malley’s position as an elite contender in the sport.
Chael Sonnen Asserts Sean O’Malley Deserves His #1 Bantamweight Ranking
Even following O’Malley’s third-round submission loss to Dvalishvili at UFC 316, MMA analyst Chael Sonnen maintains that O’Malley remains the premier fighter in the bantamweight division, with the exception of the current champion.
Speaking on his platform `Good Guy/Bad Guy`, the UFC legend stated definitively that O’Malley is “better than everybody else” in the division, while acknowledging that Dvalishvili represents a particularly difficult opponent for him.
Sonnen analyzed O’Malley’s performance in the fight, saying: “Sean went out there and fought great. He stopped those takedowns, found the straights up the middle, and started landing shots to the body with the teeps. He was cutting left and right, marching forward—everything he set out to do, he was doing.”
He continued: “Then he got caught in a nasty position. You have to tap—that’s the rules of the game. When you can no longer breathe, that’s it. It was a great job by Merab.”
Offering advice to O’Malley, Sonnen remarked: “But if you’re O’Malley, there’s no reason to be too down. You’ve got a job, and it’s all about PR—kind of like track and field. Did I do better this time than I did last time? As long as the answer keeps being ‘yes,’ you stay the course.”
Sonnen concluded his thoughts on O’Malley’s status: “He fought better. He’s ranked number one, and he should be—he’s better than everybody else. But he’s got a problem with Merab. That’s okay. That’s why we play the game. Shake hands, walk away.”
Currently, Sean O’Malley retains his ranking as the #1 contender in the UFC Bantamweight division, placed ahead of Umar Nurmagomedov at #2 and Petr Yan at #3.
What Might Be Next for Sean O’Malley?
Suffering a second straight loss to Merab Dvalishvili presents a challenge for O’Malley’s immediate path forward, particularly regarding a potential third shot at the bantamweight title against the reigning champion.
The defeat at UFC 316 could have significant implications for his career direction. Chael Sonnen has floated the idea of O’Malley potentially moving up a weight class to Featherweight, suggesting a possible fight against champion Alexander Volkanovski.
Alternatively, if O’Malley decides to remain in the 135 lbs bantamweight division, potential future opponents could include fighters like the #10-ranked Mario Bautista, who has recently secured impressive victories over names such as Jose Aldo and Patchy Mix.
Other contenders mentioned as possibilities are former champion Henry Cejudo and top fighter Song Yadong. Ultimately, if O’Malley stays in the division and defeats other highly-ranked contenders, he may eventually build a case for a third encounter with the champion, Merab Dvalishvili.
Gareth Pendleton