UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley says the Las Vegas-based promotion is open to him boxing Ryan Garcia.
O’Malley became the UFC’s bantamweight champion back in August as he scored a second-round knockout over Aljamain Sterling. After the win, ‘Suga’ called out Devin Haney to box him and the two started a back-and-forth.
Sean O'Malley and Devin Haney trade words war continues on X 😤;
𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆: https://t.co/ZAAe0ZbFmK#seanomalley #devinhaney #UFC295 #mmanews #MMA #ufc pic.twitter.com/tLzEhSqHD9— FirstSportz MMA (@MMAonFS) November 6, 2023
Although Sean O’Malley had originally targeted Devin Haney, ‘Suga’ says the UFC is now open to him boxing Ryan Garcia who is a massive star in boxing.
Sean O’Malley says the UFC would be open to a boxing match vs Ryan Garcia 👀 pic.twitter.com/2L05kbA9ez
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) November 6, 2023
“I know that, I feel that, I know that I’m going to box one day,” O’Malley said on The MMA Hour. “Those guys aren’t really pay-per-view guys, they don’t really sell, they said the Ryan Garcia’s, like if any of them were ever to be a fight, like he would be the one that has the most potential for me. As far as just a big pay-per-view. The UFC said if it makes us money, we’ll do it.”
On paper, a fight between Sean O’Malley and Ryan Garcia would be a big pay-per-view bout. But, whether or not it will ever happen is to be seen, as Dana White has said he doesn’t like the crossover fights and was hesitant to even do Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather.
Sean O’Malley set for first UFC title defense
Although Sean O’Malley has been open in his desire to box, ‘Suga’ is set to return to MMA in the main event of UFC 299 in March against Marlon Vera.
It’s a rematch of their fight in 2020 which Vera won by first-round TKO, in a scrap that O’Malley hurt his ankle in. Since then, the two have taken shots at one another and the rivalry has only increased which makes this fight interesting.
O’Malley is coming off the KO win over Aljamain Sterling back in August and to earn the title shot, he beat Petr Yan by split decision. Vera, meanwhile, returned to the win column back in August as he edged out a decision over Pedro Munhoz.
