UFC 299 is just a week away and Sean O’ Malley is set to defend his bantamweight title next. The 29-year-old will take on his long-time rival, Marlon Vera. ‘Suga’ won the title at UFC 292 after defeating Aljamain Sterling via knockout in the second round. Since then, the hard-hitting fighter has gathered a lot of fans.

‘Suga’ is not only famous for his fighting skills but also because of his outspoken nature and self belief. Such is his belief that he even manifested his current life. In a recent interview on YouTube, he shared his journey to the top. Let us find out what he had to say.

Sean O’Malley claims he had no second option apart from UFC

Before his fight with Aljamain Sterling, Sean O’Malley made a lot of headlines for his prediction. Sterling, one of the complete fighters in the UFC, had very little effect on ‘ Suga’. The 29-year-old was confident in winning the title and even claimed that he would knock him out. While many felt that the claims were too farfetched, O’Malley proved his class and is now the current bantamweight champion. He will now feature in his first title defense at UFC 299 against Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera. Before his much-awaited clash, he shared his inspiring journey to the top of the division.

While speaking to Brett Okamoto, he shared how confident he was in his initial days. He said, “I don’t know for whatever reason I would have told you when I was 19 years old that I was going to become rich from fighting. Which is so weird looking back on it because in my mind I was so it was going to happen. There was not it wasn’t well if it doesn’t I’ll go to school or I’ll know be a plumber. It was not even option. I was going to make this work. I was going to be champ. I was going to be in this position that I’m in right now. Now we’re here there was no other way for me to .”

He also shared how he improved his wrestling skills and added, “There was no there’s no doubt in my mind not ever. Like there was, you know, you go to the gym. I went to the lab known for wrestling known for grinding known for that. And I came in as a kickboxer that didn’t know a single leg. We’d do two and two’s on wrestling days and no one wanted to partner with me. Cuz I didn’t know how to do a single leg. I didn’t know you kind of warm up take down get like I didn’t know how to do anything.”

Read More: ‘Don’t Take Steroids’- Jon Jones and Alex Pereira’s Physique at 36 Leaves MMA Fans Amazed as Both Are Current UFC Champs

O’ Malley currently sits at the top of the division and will look to keep his winning momentum going. However, he has to be at his best against ‘ Chito’. O’ Malley, before his clash with Vera, shared his game plan before UFC 299.

Sean O’ Malley confident of not making the same mistake again

Marlon ‘ Chito’ Vera is the only fighter who has defeated the current champion in his career. The pair clashed for the first time at UFC 252, which ended with a lot of controversy. ‘ Chito’ won the fight via knockout in the first round, thus handing the 29-year-old his first loss. While ‘Suga’ terms the victory as a fluke, he suffered an injury from the fight and was sidelined for months. UFC 299 will now provide the opportunity for the champion to avenge his first loss in the UFC. Before his clash he spoke to ‘ TMZ’ and shared his game plans for his first title defense. 

He said, “Yeah nothing’s been different. It’s, uh, you know, it’s my second five-round training camp. Obviously, that last fight didn’t go five rounds. It only went two, and one and a half, but uh yeah, nothing’s really been different other than ‘Chito’ big fight rematch. Same s**t, different day. Been doing this for you know, 13 years so, yeah.” With O’ Malley desperate to avenge his loss against Vera, will he be able to come out on top at UFC 299? Let us know in the comments below.

Read More: Shamil Gaziev Ethnicity and Religion: Where Is the UFC Heavyweight From?