UFC Champion Sean Strickland Agrees to Boxing Fight After Devin Haney Hits Sean O’Malley With Reality Check- “Big Money”

Sean Strickland‘s performance against Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 has catapulted him to MMA stardom. Strickland, who was a huge underdog in the match-up, shocked the world in the fight with a one-sided beat-down. He showed exceptional defense and even dropped Adesanya in the first round. His stellar defense and distance control allowed him to dethrone Adesanya and become the UFC middleweight champion, leaving no doubt about the feat.

Just the previous month, Sean O’Malley claimed the bantamweight title at UFC 292 by knocking out Aljamain Sterling in the second round of their fight. At the UFC 292 post-fight press conference, he made it known that he’d like to challenge himself with a boxing fight next. He called out boxer Gervonta Davis in the interview and has also taken shots at Devin Haney on social media. However, Haney recently made an appearance on ‘The MMA Hour’ where he candidly shut down O’Malley’s proposed quest. Further, he even mentioned Sean Strickland as someone who has impressed him with his boxing skills!

Devin Haney lauds Sean Strickland and Sean O’Malley for boxing skills

Sean O’Malley showcased his stellar striking skills in the Sterling fight. He knocked out Sterling clean in the 2nd round and claimed the UFC bantamweight belt. However, his statements after the fight at a press conference have caught the eye of the boxing world. O’Malley stated that he would like take on Gervonta Davis, a boxer who holds multiple championships in 3 different weight classes.

But Devin Haney, the unified lightweight champion boxer, thinks O’Malley would not be able to compete with high-level boxers. In an appearance on ‘The MMA Hour‘ with Ariel Helwani, he revealed his thoughts behind O’Malley’s call out of Davis and himself. He stated, “It’s not the best thing for Sean O’Malley to step into the boxing ring with me”

He believes it wouldn’t be a competitive bout if Sean O’Malley stepped into the boxing ring with him. And further explained that he thinks highly of the boxing skills of other fighters in the cage, like Israel Adesanya, Conor McGregor, O’Malley and Sean Strickland.

Strickland responded to a clip of the same on social media by stating, “I spar a lot of high level boxers and they always say one thing “why don’t you box” maybe one day for a big money fight.”

Fans will have to wait and see if Sean O’Malley or Sean Strickland will take on a boxer in the future. As of now, the MMA and the boxing community await one of the biggest crossover fights in history when Francis Ngannou takes on Tyson Fury on October 28th!

Francis Ngannou will attempt to make history against Tyson Fury

In a monumental clash in Riyadh, Tyson Fury, the reigning heavyweight boxing champion, will take on Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion. Ngannou is known for his knockout power in MMA, but this will be his first foray into the boxing ring.

Fury has confidently stated that he isn’t afraid of Ngannou in the matchup. And has shared his plans to knock him out in an interview with TNT sports. Fury, in the face-to-face interview, stated, “I’m going to knock him out inside six rounds.” 

Ngannou, however, responded in his trademark calm and composed manner. He stated that Fury’s description of what will happen in the fight sounds like “a script from a movie.” And he also gave a reminder of Mike Tyson’s famous quote by stating, “everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face.”

Read More: ‘Five Years Old’ Francis Ngannou Possessed Power of a 10 Year Old, Ex UFC Champ’s Mother Makes Bold Claim Before Million Dollar Tyson Fury Clash

The two heavyweights will clash on October 28 in Saudi Arabia. Although Fury’s WBC heavyweight title won’t be on the line, the bout will be recorded in their official records. Mike Tyson, the heavyweight boxing legend, has been involved in Ngannou’s training for this fight.

Do you think Tyson Fury is underestimating Francis Ngannou? What do you think of Haney’s assessment of O’Malley? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Watch This Story: Conor McGregor Wants Khamzat Chimaev vs Paulo Costa After UFC 294