Sean O’Malley, the current UFC bantamweight champion, expressed his willingness to do whatever it takes to secure a fight with Conor McGregor, even if it means moving up from 135 pounds to 155 pounds. During an appearance on Bradley Martyn’s “Raw Talk” podcast, O’Malley acknowledged McGregor’s current weight and stated that he would be open to facing him in a higher weight class. McGregor, a former two-division champion, is set to return to the Octagon at UFC 303 after a three-year hiatus to battle Michael Chandler at a catchweight of 165 pounds.
Despite typically staying in his lane as a 135-pound fighter, O’Malley admitted that the prospect of a matchup with McGregor is enticing enough for him to consider stepping outside of his comfort zone. “Conor’s one of the only guys I would fight that I’m like, ‘That motherf—er’s big,'” O’Malley expressed. He emphasized the significance of a potential fight with McGregor not only for the financial gain but also for the legendary status it would bring.
Having idolized McGregor in the past, O’Malley now finds himself in a position where his popularity has soared, making him one of the most prominent figures in the UFC. The idea of his idol transitioning into a rival adds an extra layer of intrigue to the potential matchup. O’Malley also hinted at a sense of jealousy from McGregor towards his growing success, leading him to attempt to provoke a reaction from McGregor through messages.
O’Malley addressed McGregor’s comments about him, particularly in a now-deleted rant where McGregor criticized fighters who had tested positive for banned substances. O’Malley, who served a six-month suspension for testing positive for ostarine in 2019, expressed confusion over McGregor’s apparent animosity towards him, considering his admiration for the Irish fighter. Despite acknowledging the difficulty in doing so, O’Malley hinted at a desire to harbor some animosity towards McGregor.
While a potential showdown between O’Malley and McGregor may be on the horizon, both fighters have immediate challenges to navigate. McGregor is set to face Chandler in June, while O’Malley is expected to defend his bantamweight title against Merab Dvalishvili later this year. The timeline for a potential matchup between O’Malley and McGregor remains uncertain, but the prospect of the clash between these two charismatic fighters is certainly an intriguing one for the UFC fans.
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