Sean O’Malley would like to see the BMF tradition carry on.
It all started in 2019 with an east coast vs. west coast showdown between Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz at welterweight, then years later at lightweight as Dustin Poirier rematched Justin Gaethje in 2023. Then, once more a new champion was crowned as longtime featherweight Max Holloway KO’ed Gaethje at the buzzer at UFC 300.
While the BMF title was originally created as a ‘one-off’ by Dana White and wasn’t meant to be defended, the narrative sure has changed as back-t0-back fights for the rare belt have ended in the most violent of fashions with Gaethje winning the title by headkick KO of Poirier and Holloway becoming the BMF off “The Highlight” in a fiery exchange of punches.
Two Titles At The Same Time
We could see the BMF belt drop down another weight class as Holloway’s in prime position for a fight with 145lb champion Ilia Topuria. UFC Bantamweight Champ O’Malley believes it’s only right that Holloway puts his crown up for grabs alongside Topuria’s featherweight championship.
“Whoever Max fights next, you gotta put the BMF belt [on the line],” O’Malley said on his YouTube channel. “He’s the BMF, he has the title. Whoever he fights next, like if Max and Ilia fight and Ilia wins, he’s BMF and 145lb champ.”
His Own Roadmap To Becoming The BMF
O’Malley has been very vocal about a potential fight with Ilia Topuria, teasing a future move to the featherweight division after a title defense or two at bantamweight. “Suga’s” sights were on double-champ status but there may just be a triple crown involved if Topuria ends up stealing Holloway’s BMF shine.
“Then I win [against Topuria] and then I’m champ, BMF. I’m 35, 45 and BMF,” O’Malley proclaimed. “I go up there and say, what’s up Islam [Makhachev]— jokes.”
O’Malley On Fighting Holloway: “There’s A Chance That Happens”
What about a BMF title fight against Holloway instead? O’Malley vs. Holloway may seem far-fetched at the moment with both stars having a full plate of potential fights, but the 29 year-old striker wouldn’t rule out the possibility of facing arguably the best boxer in the UFC.
“He said he wants to go to 45, beat Ilia, and then move back up. I think that there’s a chance that [fight] happens,” O’Malley said of a clash with Holloway. “I do believe there’s a chance that happens. There’s a lot of interesting fights. Max said it, too. He said going into that Justin fight, he just wanted to win that and have options. But, having options is f****** so important, especially once you’re the champ or anyone you see that high up. Just having options is so nice.”
Holloway vs. Topuria On Deck?
As for what’s next on the agenda, Sean O’Malley will likely meet Merab Dvalishvili in his next title defense at 135lbs. The reigning champion gives his take on what’s going on above with Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway waiting in the wings for each other.
“I wanna see Max versus Ilia next. F***, that’d be sick,” O’Malley added. “That’d be a big fight. Ilia coming off that crazy knockout. Max coming off that crazy knockout…. Max is always that f****** dialed. He’s never showed up and not been wide eyed and f****** ready to go. I like Max [vs.] Ilia, bro. Sign me up.”
