Sean O'Malley is interested in facing Ilia Topuria (Photo: Montage/SUPER FIGHTS)
After successfully defending the bantamweight belt (up to 61,2 kg) for the first time in a dominant victory over Marlon Vera in the main fight of UFC 299, last Saturday (9), Sean O'Malley expressed interest in moving up a category to challenge the featherweight champion (up to 65,7 kg) Ilia Topuria. Bantamweight prospectus, Umar Nurmagomedov doesn't believe it's a good idea.
Khabib's cousin and undefeated in professional MMA with 17 wins in 17 fights, Umar said, in an interview with the North American 'ESPN', that a duel against Topuria could be too dangerous. Furthermore, the Russian stated that what makes sense for the bantamweight champion is to defend the title against Merab Dvalishvili, first placed in the ranking.
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“He is talking about Ilia Topuria, but it doesn't make sense to me. Ilia might kill this guy because he's too big and too dangerous for him, I think. He (O'Malley) is healthy, maybe that's why he wants to gain weight and make some money. Even if he loses, he will remain champion in bantamweight, right? Now, what makes sense in our division is for Merab to fight for the title”, said the Russian.
Sean O'Malley and Ilia Topuria These are two of the UFC's biggest promises in recent years that have recently become realities. The North American won the bantamweight belt in August 2023 with a knockout over aljamain sterling and added the first defense against Marlon Vera last Saturday, while the Georgian became featherweight champion with a brutal knockout over Alexander Volkanovsky No. UFC 298, it's February.
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