WASHINGTON – Sean O’Malley sees another title fight in his future should he get his hand raised this Sunday.
O’Malley (19-3 MMA, 11-3 UFC), a former UFC bantamweight champion, faces a streaking Aiemann Zahabi (14-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) at UFC Freedom 250 (Paramount+), which takes place at the White House. It’s a big stage for O’Malley, and one that could provide him the opportunity to try to get back what was once his.
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“My next fight will probably be for the title, but I don’t know if the next title fight will involve me,” O’Malley said at the UFC Freedom 250 media day on Wednesday. “It seems that Petr (Yan) and Merab (Dvalishvili) are kind of the way it’s leaning, but whether I wait or take another fight, I don’t know. It’s so hard to predict how these fights will play out. I’m going with taking it one fight at a time.”
O’Malley expects the UFC to book the trilogy between Yan and Dvalishvili next. Should times align, he’ll take on the winner. For now, O’Malley’s focus remains on UFC Freedom 250. There is no potential title shot if he doesn’t get past Zahabi, who’s unbeaten in his last seven bouts.
“It’s insane,” O’Malley said when asked what his feelings were fighting at the White House. “I enjoy going to these different places: Boston, Miami, Abu Dhabi, Vegas. Just fighting in different places is fun. Now we’re fighting at the White House on the lawn. It’s insane. It’s hard to wrap your head around. It’s going to somehow find a way to outdo it someday and be a part of that, too. But yeah, it’s awesome.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Sean O’Malley expects title shot with win at UFC White House
