- Sean O’Malley voiced his disagreement with Chael Sonnen on labeling Israel Adesanya’s coach stupid for pitching a double-champ fight
- O’Malley believes Jake Paul fighting Nate Diaz in MMA would be a win-win situation
Top-ranked UFC bantamweight contender Sean O’Malley was last seen in action against former titleholder Petr Yan at UFC 280 last October. O’Malley turned in an impressive performance and managed to edge out Yan on the judges’ scorecards by a split decision in a close-fought war that many felt could’ve swung either way. The victory leapfrogged him to the top contender position until Merab Dvalishvili worked his way up over O’Malley.
Sean O’Malley doesn’t agree with Chael Sonnen on calling Izzy’s coach stupid
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya regained the throne with a brutal knockout of Alex Pereira at UFC 287 two weeks ago. Following the win, a few options were being considered to challenge Adesanya, with his coach Eugene Bareman suggesting a ‘champ-champ’ clash with light heavyweight king Jamahal Hill.
In a recent video uploaded on his YouTube channel, Sean O’Malley refuted Sonnen on labeling Adesanya’s coach stupid for proposing a bout with Hill.
“Coach Bareman pitching Izzy vs Hill makes him look stupid. That’s what Chael Sonnen said apparently. As a coach, I think that’s good. Double champ status is massive, it’s huge, not necessary in his legacy I don’t think especially going from 185 to 205, it’s a pretty big jump. That’s like going up two weight classes really. His coach pitching that I don’t think makes him look stupid but Chael would. Bareman seems like a very smart guy and I think it’s an interesting fight for Izzy. Jamahal Hill ain’t no joke though. He’s not an easy fight by any means.
“I’m curious where it plays out. I’d like to see Izzy versus Dricus Du Plessis.”
O’Malley praised Adesanya for his commanding run at the top and would like to see him face Dricus Du Plessis next.
“I think give Izzy that fight. I think Izzy has earned, I’m not going to say an easy fight because no fight is easy and that dude’s definitely dangerous, but if you’re looking at the competition that Izzy has fought, I think that’s one of… Izzy deserves a fight like that. It’s a big fight and good story, couple of Africans.”
O’Malley sees Jake Paul v Nate Diaz as ‘win-win’
Jake Paul got confirmed to face Nate Diaz in a boxing match on August 5. ‘Suga’ Sean believes a mixed martial arts showdown between the duo would be mutually beneficial for them.
“Paul versus Diaz in MMA after boxing match under PFL says owner. This is very possible. I know Nate wants to go beat Jake and then go back to the UFC, grab his belt over there. Nate’s a legend.
“[Jake] goes out there and beats him in boxing and says, ‘I’ll fight you in MMA,’ it is a win-win. It’s not like he’s going to get f**king KO’d hard. It’s not like he’s fighting Izzy, or Paulo Costa, or someone that’s going to hit him heavy. He’ll probably get submitted but you take that fight. That’s a big deal in the community’s eyes like damn, he’s doing it. And you’re going to make a lot of money. I think he needs to do that regardless if he’s confident and go there with it.”
Sean O’Malley does not currently have a fight booked and seems to be waiting for the conclusion of the upcoming title fight between 135-lb champ Aljamain Sterling and former two-division champ Henry Cejudo before deciding his next move.
