A prominent UFC figure is voicing support for Sean O`Malley following his challenging submission defeat at UFC 316.
The former UFC Bantamweight champion had aimed to recapture his title from Merab Dvalishvili, having previously lost to the Georgian by unanimous decision at UFC 306.
Despite adjusting his lifestyle and improving his physical readiness, O`Malley was compelled to tap out to Dvalishvili in the third round of their UFC 316 rematch. This outcome marks the first time O`Malley has faced back-to-back losses in his professional career.
However, according to one respected UFC legend, this recent setback should not cause fans to question O`Malley`s standing as a premier contender in the division.
Chael Sonnen Believes Sean O`Malley Deserves #1 Bantamweight Ranking
Even after suffering a third-round loss to Dvalishvili at UFC 316, Chael Sonnen maintains that O’Malley is the top fighter in the bantamweight division, excluding the champion.
Speaking on his platform “Good Guy/Bad Guy,” the veteran MMA personality asserted that O’Malley is “better than everybody else” in the weight class, despite acknowledging O`Malley`s specific difficulties against Dvalishvili.
Sonnen commented on O`Malley`s performance, 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.”
Sonnen advised O`Malley against excessive discouragement: “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.”
He concluded his assessment by reinforcing his view on O`Malley`s ranking: “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, O`Malley is still ranked #1 in the UFC Bantamweight division, positioned above Umar Nurmagomedov and Petr Yan, who are #2 and #3 respectively.
What Awaits Sean O`Malley?
Consecutive losses to Dvalishvili present a tricky situation for O`Malley. Although he remains the top-ranked contender, securing an immediate third title opportunity against the champion seems unlikely.
The defeat at UFC 316 could significantly influence his career trajectory. Sonnen has proposed that O`Malley consider moving up to the Featherweight division, potentially seeking a fight against the current champion, Alexander Volkanovski.
Should he remain in the 135 lbs division, a potential next opponent for O`Malley could be the #10 ranked Mario Bautista, who has recently achieved notable victories.
Other suggested opponents include Henry Cejudo and Song Yadong. However, O`Malley may ultimately aim for a third showdown with the champion if he can successfully navigate through other top contenders in the division.
