Sean O'Malley Eyes GOAT Status and Backs Training Partner

Sean O'Malley is plotting a path back to the top of the bantamweight division, aiming to cement his legacy as the greatest of all time. The former champion, now on a two-fight win streak, sees a clear route to reclaiming his spot in the conversation. His immediate focus, however, is on the success of his training partner at this weekend's Noche UFC event.

O'Malley's ultimate career goal is now in sharp focus. He wants to be considered the greatest bantamweight ever. To get there, he believes he needs a decisive victory over Petr Yan, who he narrowly beat by split decision in October 2022. That win originally earned him a title shot. "After it's all said and done I'd like to consider myself the GOAT," O'Malley said in a recent interview. He sees the current top tier as Yan, Aljamain Sterling, and Merab Dvalishvili. Having already beaten Sterling to win the title and Yan in that key 2022 bout, avenging his two losses to Dvalishvili is the final piece. The landscape could shift on October 24 when Yan and Dvalishvili meet for a third time at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi.

The former champion has rebuilt his momentum after a tough period. He lost his title to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 two years ago and then lost a rematch by submission. Since then, O'Malley has strung together consecutive wins. He defeated Song Yadong and then Aiemann Zahabi at the massive UFC White House event. This win streak has put him back in the title picture, though he acknowledges a third fight with Dvalishvili must make sense timing-wise. His path likely involves another high-profile win to secure a number one contender fight.

O'Malley is heavily invested in the success of his training partner, undefeated prospect Tommy McMillen. McMillen faces the equally unbeaten Marwan Rahiki on the main card of Noche UFC this Saturday, September 12th, at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. O'Malley has been studying Rahiki closely. "This kid is legit," O'Malley said on his YouTube channel, praising the 24-year-old's sharp, hard-hitting style. But he believes McMillen's relentless pressure and durability will be the difference. He compared McMillen's approach to Max Holloway's, noting his ability to absorb a shot and keep coming forward. O'Malley also questioned if Rahiki, who was in Morocco when he got the fight offer in August, has had enough time to prepare for McMillen's notorious cardio.

O'Malley was among the many stunned by the result at UFC Shanghai, where his recent opponent Song Yadong scored a massive upset. Yadong put the highly-touted Umar Nurmagomedov "to sleep" with a knockout victory. O'Malley shared a video reaction to the finish, visibly shocked by the outcome. This result adds another layer to the bantamweight division's volatility and makes Yadong's win over O'Malley look even more significant in retrospect.

• O'Malley targets GOAT status with a need for a clear win over Petr Yan and eventually a rematch with Merab Dvalishvili.
• He is on a two-fight win streak, with victories over Song Yadong and Aiemann Zahabi since losing his title.
• He predicts a breakout for Tommy McMillen at Noche UFC this Saturday, September 12th.
• The bantamweight title picture will clarify on October 24th when Yan and Dvalishvili fight for the third time.