Sean O’Malley is about to defend his bantamweight title for the second time this September at Noche UFC. However, the MMA star has not always got the credit that he deserves. Critics pointed out that O’Malley’s rapid rise seemed to reflect favorable matchmaking from Dana White. However, former fighter-turned-commentator Laura Sanko had something to say about this.
Laura Sanko recently sat down for a conversation on MMA Fighting. She addressed Suga’s upcoming matchup against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306. This was when she talked about the infamous “Dana White privilege” when it comes to Sean O’Malley.
For the doubters who had all of these things to say about Sean O’Malley on his way up, that he was being fed cans. That he was getting the Dana White privilege so to speak. I don’t think you can make those arguments anymore… certainly not after the Petr Yan fight.
Laura Sanko on MMA Fighting
‘Suga’s victory over Petr Yan at UFC 280 was a pivotal moment in his career. After his loss to Marlon Vera in 2020, O’Malley fell out of the rankings. However, he quickly rebounded, and despite a No Contest result in his fight against Pedro Munhoz in July 2022, he was soon given a high-profile fight against the former champion and No.1-ranked contender, Petr Yan.
The fight with Yan itself was highly controversial. The split decision in O’Malley’s favor sparked outrage among many in the MMA community, with some calling it one of the “biggest robberies” in UFC history. However, Dana White defended the result, stating that the fight was “razor-thin” and could have gone either way. He also emphasized that O’Malley’s rise was not a case of favoritism, but rather his ability to capitalize on the opportunity when it came.
Sean O’Malley reflects on his rise to fame and potentially surpassing Conor McGregor
Emerging from Dana White’s Contender Series, Sean O’Malley quickly made a name for himself in the MMA space. His persona resonated with younger fans, and he tapped into the potential of being not just a fighter, but an entertainer.
As O’Malley’s career progressed, he often spoke about his goal to become one of the biggest names in the UFC, if not the biggest. He recently reflected on his trajectory in an interview with Stephen A. Smith, noting how he sees himself as the heir to Conor McGregor’s position as the UFC’s premier star.
O’Malley views himself as the future of the UFC and feels McGregor’s decline in activity and results opens the door for a new star to take center stage. Comparisons to Conor McGregor are inevitable. Both fighters share a brash confidence, a penchant for psychological warfare, and an ability to sell fights. However, O’Malley emphasized that he aims to break some of McGregor’s records, particularly when it comes to pay-per-view sales.
I am coming for Conor’s records. I am active, I am what he used to be and what he wants to be still. That would be a good guess. Conor can come back and fight Michael Chandler and do massive numbers. Do massive PPVs, he is still that guy. But for how long?
Sean O’Malley on ESPN MMA
O’Malley is conscious of how rapidly fame can fade in the fight game and how crucial it is to consistently perform at the highest level. In terms of his fighting future, O’Malley seems poised to solidify his legacy, and his upcoming bouts will be crucial in determining whether he can indeed become the next McGregor-like figure. His fights are expected to draw massive interest, not only for his in-ring abilities but also because of the spectacle that surrounds him.
