Sean O'Malley speaks out and attacks the UFC: 'how difficult is it to pay us what we deserve?'

S. O'Malley was yet another fighter to criticize UFC payments (Photo: Instagram/UFC)

Considered one of the most promising and exciting names in the UFC's bantamweight division (up to 61,2 kg), Sean O'Malley has become a very popular fighter among MMA fans. However, despite his popularity and good results, the 26-year-old American said he felt disrespected by the organization, especially by matchmaker Sean Shelby.

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While recording his own podcast, O'Malley complained about his treatment from Shelby recently. The fighter revealed that the Ultimate matchmaker was unhappy with him for not accepting to fight at the next UFC event in New York.

“I don't even know if I can say that. I was talking to my manager and he was talking to Sean Shelby and he said Sean Shelby was crazy about me. Man, I don't want to fight in New York. It's far away, the taxes are ridiculous and Tim Welch (O'Malley's coach) has an ADCC tryout that weekend. He told me this before I even potentially had a fight. Why does he have to give that up if I can fight a month later in Vegas? Then Sean Shelby went crazy and started attacking me: 'Okay then, go hang out with 6ix9ine (American rapper)'. He started acting like a jerk, man. I don't know if I should say this, but calm down, what are you doing?”, O'Malley said.

After criticizing Sean Shelby for his attitude, O'Malley concluded his reasoning by attacking the UFC and questioning the difficulty in paying fighters the amount they deserve.

“He told me he knew I was going to ask for a lot of money. Do not play. I give you the damn numbers, you can't deny that. Why do they have a problem paying us what we’re worth? This shouldn't be a problem. Especially when I'm breaking out like this. These last two fights, interruptions in the third round, resulting in brain damage. You should want to pay me a lot because I deserved it. Man, I was the UFC 264”, concluded Sean O'Malley.

Sean O'Malley is not the first fighter to demand fairer payments from the UFC. In addition to him, names such as Jon Jones, Jorge masvidal and Francisc Ngannou.