The bantamweight title will be on the line at UFC 333 when Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili meet for their extremely anticipated trilogy on October 24. Dvalishvili beat Yan in their first outing in 2023, but the Russian got his revenge at UFC 323 last December, snapping the Georgian’s 14-fight successful streak.
One fighter who will be watching the co-main occasion carefully is Sean O’Malley. “Suga” is using a two-fight successful streak after beating Song Yadong at UFC 324 and knocking out Aiemann Zahabi at UFC Freedom 250.
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O’Malley also has historical past with both Yan and Dvalishvili. Now, he has shared personal messages with the reigning champion and hinted at his plans to reclaim the bantamweight title.
Sean O’Malley Responds to Payton Talbott’s Ducking Accusations After His Latest Win
In a current look on MMA Guru, the former bantamweight champion pulled up his Instagram exchange with Yan. The two traded playful warnings, with both seemingly open to a rematch if Yan gets previous Dvalishvili at UFC 333.
O’Malley said, “I had some words to say with Petr over Instagram, and I would love to share it with you. These are, so I send him a voice message, and when he talks, he says, ‘Sean, come to Abu Dhabi.’ It’s kinda hard to say, but this is what I say to him.”
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“Suga” then performed his voice observe for followers. He said, “Petr, what’s up, buddy? Hope you’re doing well. Hope you beat Merab so I can beat your ass again.”
Yan was fast to fire back, replying, “Sure, hello. Coming to Abu Dhabi. I smash Merab up, and you will be next.”
The exchange ended with both fighters laughing, and O’Malley could not resist taking a playful jab at his potential opponent. “Did you hear that laugh? One more time. Oh, little Petr. I like little Petr.”
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For context, O’Malley and Yan first met at UFC 280 in October 2022 in Abu Dhabi. The Arizona native walked away with a controversial split-decision victory, although many followers believed Yan had completed enough to win.
That outcome finally helped O’Malley secure a title shot against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292. He made the most of the alternative, ending Sterling in under two rounds to become the new 135-pound champion.
Now, O’Malley could be eyeing another shot at gold. However, he has also confronted questions about allegedly avoiding rising contender Payton Talbott following the latter’s knockout victory over Deiveson Figueredo at UFC 332.
O’Malley lately pushed back against those accusations, insisting that the UFC never supplied him a struggle against Talbott at UFC Freedom 250. He also made it clear that he would be keen to face the rising star.
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He said, “I swear on my family, I did not get offered Payton Talbott at the White House… He called me out, and that sounds good.” O’Malley then defined how the consequence of Yan’s upcoming title struggle could form his next transfer.
O’Malley admitted, “Petr goes out there and loses, let’s squabble. Me and Payton, let’s make it happen. Petr goes out there and wins, I’m ducking him. I’m ducking him for a tougher fight… I’m ducking him for a Petr Yan. I fought four of the greatest bantamweights of all time in my last 7.”
He continued, “Petr, Aljo, Merab and I beat Merab once, so I beat all three of the greatest bantamweights of all time. I ain’t ducking!”
A Yan victory at UFC 333 could set up a rematch with O’Malley, giving the former champion a likelihood to settle their rivalry and reclaim the title. Meanwhile, another Dvalishvili win could depart O’Malley with a completely different choice to make, particularly after shedding to the Georgian twice.
With the title image hanging in the stability, all eyes will be on UFC 333 to see who emerges as champion and whether O’Malley gets the rematch he needs or finally settles issues with Talbott.
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