Bigger Star? O’Malley Fights … Unlike McGregor

Noche UFC at UFC 306 fight week is here and headlined by UFC Bantamweight champion, Sean O’Malley, in arguably his toughest fight to date.

Standing in O’Malley’s way in his second defense as the 135-pound titleholder will be the surging “Machine” Merab Dvalishvili this weekend (Sat., Sept. 14, 2024). With the fight in the Las Vegas Sphere and garnering attention unlike any other event before it just for the venue, O’Malley, or Dvalishvili, can take their star power to new heights.

Could O’Malley surpass the highest of heights when it comes to mixed martial arts (MMA) popularity? Well, to do so means eclipsing former two-division champion, Conor McGregor, who has been plotting a comeback to no avail in 2024.

“I think I’m very close,” O’Malley said at UFC 306 media day of passing McGregor as a star. “I think Conor’s still got one more big fight in him because of the big question mark of if Conor can come back? Can he actually beat [Michael] Chandler?

“I think Conor’s got one more huge fight,” he continued. “If he goes out there and loses his next fight, like six in a row or something, it’s gotta die down eventually. Maybe not. That just tests how big of a star but I’d assume if he goes out there and loses, I’m there. I’m the guy. I’m the No. 1.”

O’Malley and McGregor or both two of the better and flashier strikers their divisions have seen in recent memory, boasting big personalities to boot. So, what sets the two apart? The answer is simple, believes O’Malley, who has fought five times since McGregor’s last outing in July 2021.

“I bring fights,” O’Malley said of their difference. “I fight. Often. So, I think that’s what it is right now. Conor was good on the mic. The accent, the words that he chose, he was very good on the mic, some good performances. He had a couple good performances, but I’m just consistent right now. I’m fighting a lot, so that’s what I bring.”

Coincidentally, O’Malley fought the same night McGregor last did when he scored a third round technical knockout against Kris Moutinho while McGregor broke his leg and lost via a first round technical knockout in his trilogy main event against Dustin Poirier (watch highlights). Including that Moutinho fight, O’Malley (18-1, 1 no contest) will have fought seven times since McGregor’s last fight night after this weekend.

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