‘The Sugar Show’ wants to try ‘The Sweet Science’.
UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley has made it clear that his aspirations in combat sports go far past the realm of MMA. O’Malley believes one day he’ll step into the boxing ring against a box-office name. But for now, he’ll have to settle for more fights in the Octagon— where he has found great success in at 29 years old.
O’Malley Eyes At Least 3 More UFC Fights Before Boxing Debut
Speaking of which, O’Malley will attempt to avenge his only pro loss against Chito Vera in the main event of UFC 299 next weekend. The champ says he has more scores to settle after Vera, when discussing all the moving gears and cogs that come with a potential move to boxing.
“For me right now, I’m obviously focused on Chito,” O’Malley told Kevin Iole, when asked about crossing over into boxing. “Only way those [boxing] fights happen is if I continue [to win]. I go out there and knock Chito out. I go out there and knock Merab out. I go out there and knock Ilia out. Then, we’re talking about a possible boxing fight, if they go out there and keep doing the same thing they’re doing and winning big fights.
“So, I think we’re a little ways off from that.”
‘Anything’s Possible In Boxing’
O’Malley has scored six knockouts since his UFC debut in 2017. He’s stood with the likes of Petr Yan and later shocked the world with a second-round TKO of Aljamain Sterling to take the bantamweight throne last August.
With power in his hands, the 29 year-old is quite confident he’d give top boxers a challenge in their own sport. After all, ex-UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou did put Tyson Fury on his butt in his boxing debut.
“Do I think I could go out there and put up a competitive fight? Absolutely,” O’Malley said. “Do I think I could win? 100%. Anything’s possible in boxing. Look at Francis [Ngannou]. You know what I’m saying? Like, you’re not gonna see one of these guys, Ryan Garcia, come over to MMA and and have any any bit of a challenge. It’s not that’s not realistic.
“Me going to boxing and and being able to pull something massive off, that’s a little bit more realistic. Is it difficult? Would it be insanely hard? Yes. Would I love the challenge? Absolutely.
“But again, Chito, March 9th, UFC 299 in Miami. I gotta go out there and perform.”
From MMA to boxing, how would UFC Champion Sean O’Malley fare in the ring?
