O’Malley Claims He’ll Become ‘As Big As Conor’ In 2024

Sean O’Malley is already one of the most popular stars in mixed martial arts (MMA) today, but the undisputed UFC bantamweight champion is hoping that a successful 2024 campaign leaves him as the biggest name in the game.

Ever since O’Malley made his debut on Dana White’s Contender Series he’s been expected to become one of UFC’s most prizes possessions. He’s young, extremely confident with his skills, produces highlight-reel knockouts, loves to promote his own fights, and has a really good grasp on social media and how to use it to his advantage. He’s the perfect package.

What works against O’Malley is the fact that he constantly gets compared to Conor McGregor. Whether it’s his fast rise to fame or ability to dead opponents with his punching power, O’Malley always seems to be fighting an uphill battle to prove he’s the sport’s next big thing.

Surprisingly, O’Malley welcomes all of it. The UFC bantamweight king understands just how big McGregor is and all of the stardom that comes with it, which is why he’s aiming to finally cash in on the aforementioned comparisons by the end of 2024.

“I’m hoping to get another one in by the end of the year and be the biggest star in sports, not just combat sports,” said O’Malley during a recent interview with ESPN MMA (shortened clip shown below). “I think I go out there and put two beautiful performances together. I will be as big as Conor.

“UFC has grown, 30, 40, 50 percent since Conor was really in his prime. That COVID really boosted UFC. So I have a lot more eyeballs, a lot more opportunity to become more of a star.

“When I say stuff like that people always like, ‘Oh you wannabe Conor.’ He’s the biggest star in combat sports. Of course, I want to be as big as him.”

O’Malley, who is coming off a spectacular knockout win over Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292 last August to claim the 135-pound title, is scheduled to defend the belt for the first time in a rematch with Marlon Vera at UFC 299 this coming March. If “Sugar” is able to defeat Vera then his next opponent will likely be the winner of Henry Cejudo vs. Merab Dvalishvili, which goes down at UFC 298 on Feb. 17.