UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley once looked up to Conor McGregor. In recent times, the two men had exchanged insults. It started when ‘Notorious’ touted a laughing emoji on a repost on X of ‘Suga’ claiming Ostarine contamination from sweat transfer. Ever since, O’Malley has turned heel on McGregor. Now, that has also included old rival Khabib Nurmagomedov in the mix.
Khabib Nurmagomedov defeated McGregor at UFC 229. UFC ‘Muted 6’ series | No Commentary (YT, @UFC) proved how expletive it got six years back. It is a rivalry that stretches on even now. McGregor stays at the ready to drag his rival down even today. Given the always active topic, Sean O’Malley weighed in on who’d win between the two. It was ‘notoriously’ in favor of the Dagestani lightweight.
[If there was ever a time he would have beaten Khabib] No, I don’t know if he’s [air quotes] good…[but] style. Yeah, style is a big thing…uhm, Khabib, ..Khabib could have fought a lot more people. Like, really established that, dominant. It’s difficult to say if Khabib is like that good, or with those guys matching up…it’s like tricky for Conor…
Sean O’Malley in an exclusive pre-fight interview last week; 🎥: @RedCorner_MMA on YT
The 135-pound king does not mention Khabib Nurmagomedov being good or McGregor being bad. However, he alluded to how dominant Khabib’s run was and the fighting acumen he still holds. ‘The Eagle’ is back to cornering friends and family, per AKA coach Javier Mendez. Nurmagomedov has had a great mind for fighting and pre-fight tactics. His camp predictions have come true most of the time.
It ranges from helping Islam Makhachev win the lightweight title to acutely planning for opponents. The knowledge he has appears far too significant. He has been spot-on in these. O’Malley thus thinks there was no chance that even a bloated sniper like McGregor could stand against Khabib. As such, for now, O’Malley has his own rivalry with him to look to.
Where does Sean O’Malley stand with Conor McGregor these days?
DWCS alum Sean O’Malley has risen to unprecedented fame. He even patterned his flamboyant neo-fandom style after Conor McGregor’s blueprint. Suga has often expressed that he wanted to surpass McGregor someday. Initially, even ‘Notorious’ positioned himself as a mentor to him. O’Malley’s UFC 292 right hook counter was very reminiscent of McGregor’s left hook at UFC 194, which he liked.
Sean O’Malley-Conor McGregor dynamic might be at an end (Source: UFC.go.com/Instagram)However, that would not last. Following his blueprint, ‘Suga’ even wanted to venture into crossover pro-sanction boxing with Ryan Garcia. Garcia (back to 24-1, 20KOs) faces an NYSAC-imposed year ban and an overturn after testing positive for Ostarine in April.
McGregor jumped the gun on dissing both Garcia and ‘Suga’ despite previously supporting them. The verbal attack from McGregor stunned O’Malley. Accordingly, in posts on X, Sean O’Malley unleashed a nasty assessment of his former idol’s skills and aspirations.
Miss the old Conor 🙁 you fell off bud. Still a fan tho. I actually don’t care you are 1-4 in your last 5 I’m stills excited to watch. Hope the toe is feeling better. https://t.co/ENSkQw1RmB
— Sean O’Malley (@SugaSeanMMA) July 23, 2024
Conor isn’t in anyone GOAT talk. Entertainment yes but skills, no. Has a really good left hand. Shit Cardio. Weak Jits. Decently athletic. Mentally weak. Drug addict, needs rehab. 1-4 last 5 fights. Still fan tho. Hope toe heals up
— Sean O’Malley (@SugaSeanMMA) July 23, 2024
Things haven’t been the same since. O’Malley is still on the blueprint, hoping to milk the Conor McGregor-Khabib rivalry against the latter’s cousin, Umar Nurmagomedov. However, this is where his buck stops, as for his admiration for him.
