Is Sean O’Malley Moving Up to Face Ilia Topuria After UFC 299? UFC BW Champ Answers Why Merab Dvalishvili Fight Does Not Make Sense

Sean O’Malley and Ilia Topuria have history. Both fighters are champions of their divisions and have called out each other on various occasions. Ahead of Topuria’s bout against Alexander Volkanovski, ‘Suga’ asserted that he would face Topuria if he clinches the featherweight title from ‘The Great’. Now, that ‘El Matador’ has been crowned as the undisputed champion, will O’Malley fight him?

Sean O’Malley is all set to face Marlon Vera in a high-stakes match that includes the bantamweight title at UFC 299. This would be O’Malley’s first title defense. ‘Suga’ is planning to redeem himself from his lone defeat against Vera. However, what’s after that for O’Malley? Will he defend his title again or will it be a fight against Ilia Topuria?

What’s next for Sean O’Malley after Marlon Vera?

UFC 299 would decide the fate of Sean O’Malley who is about to defend his bantamweight belt against his arch nemesis, Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera. O’Malley is, however, confident about his victory. Their initial clash resulted in O’Malley’s brutal defeat. Well, ‘Suga’, now has a chance to redeem himself but what after that for the bantamweight champion? Will it be Merab Dvalishvili or Ilia Topuria?

In his latest Youtube video, ‘Suga’ has confessed about his plans for the future. “I’m trying to get people excited as a fan. I’m thinking, what would people want to see? Like, ‘Oh sh*t, the bantamweight champ fight, that’ll be’ And then people are hating on it like, ‘Okay you guys are the ones that are going to watch. What do you guys want? Do you want me to fight Merab next? Do you guys want me to fight Merab over Ilia? That’s really what you guys want?’” said O’Malley.

He further added “Let me go out there and put this performance on Cheeto and tell me you guys don’t want to see this fight [O’Malley vs. Ilia Topuria]. O’Malley asserted that he is rooting for a potential fight against Ilia Topuria snubbing Merab Dvalishvili in the process. However, O’Malley further stated that he would do what his fans wanted him to do.

Despite the MMA community wanting Sean O’Malley to defend his title against future contender ‘Suga’ seems to have other plans for the featherweight division. According to O’Malley, he would fight Topuria sooner or later.

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O’Malley reveals plan to fight Ilia Topuria

Sean O’Malley seems to be highly inclined to fight against Ilia Topuria. After their initial back and forth, Topuria seems to have snubbed O’Malley from any fight discussion but ‘Suga’ seems to be astute in his stance about fighting Topuria. While having a conversation with ESPN, O’Malley said “Me vs. Ilia in September in Vegas at the Sphere. I got the Mexican flag right here [in the sprinter van]. “Let’s make it happen. That would be the next fight if all goes to plan.”

He further added “I like having options. At the end of the day, what’s the biggest fight? I am a prizefighter. I like making money. Why would I go fight, ‘Oh, this guy’s a f****** killer, but you’re gonna make less money.'” 

The happening and non-happening of their fight depends upon what the fighters as well as what the UFC’s admin wants. What’s your opinion on their matchup? Do you expect them to clash soon?

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