Sean O’Malley is heading into his next fight with a very clear goal. He does not just want to win. He wants to finish the fight.
O’Malley is scheduled to face Aiemann Zahabi at the UFC White House event on June 14. For him, going the distance is not something he is willing to accept this time.
“I got to have a f—-ng beautiful KO,” O’Malley said on YouTube. “It’s just like there is no other option. Winning a decision is a loss. If I win a decision, take me out of the rankings. I need a f——ing finish here.”
Recent Results Still on His Mind
O’Malley holds a 19-3 record and is known for his striking ability. He has finished six fights in the UFC, but his last stoppage came in 2023. That was when he knocked out Aljamain Sterling to win the bantamweight title.
After that, things became more difficult. He defended his belt once against Marlon Vera, but then lost the title to Merab Dvalishvili in 2024. He later tried to win it back but came up short again in their rematch.
Earlier this year, O’Malley returned with a decision win over Song Yadong at UFC 324. Even though he got the victory, it did not match the kind of performance he expects from himself.
This time, O’Malley wants to leave no doubt. Facing Zahabi, he is aiming to show that he can still deliver an exciting finish and stay among the top fighters in the division.
His message is direct. A close win is not enough. Only a stoppage will prove that he is back where he wants to be.
With the spotlight on the UFC White House event, O’Malley sees this fight as a chance to remind fans of his finishing ability and return to form in a strong way.
