Sean O'Malley Reacts to Song Yadong's Shocking KO

Sean O'Malley is back in the win column and has his sights set on the bantamweight GOAT conversation. The former champion reacted to a major upset in his division, weighed in on a potential blockbuster lightweight fight, and took aim at a welterweight rival, all while mapping his own route back to the top.

How did Song Yadong's KO affect O'Malley's title picture?

O'Malley was visibly stunned watching Song Yadong score a knockout victory over highly-touted contender Umar Nurmagomedov. The result, captured in a viral video, has significant implications for the 135-pound landscape. O'Malley himself noted that the win strengthens Song's own case for a title shot, potentially creating a new and compelling contender in a division O'Malley aims to reconquer. He has already beaten Song, securing a victory over him during his current two-fight win streak.

What did O'Malley predict for Pimblett vs. Topuria?

O'Malley and his coach Tim Welch discussed rumors of a December showdown between Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett. Welch said he had heard "rumblings" about the UFC potentially booking the lightweight grudge match for a Las Vegas card in December. O'Malley called it a massive fight, even with Topuria coming off a loss to Justin Gaethje in June. When pressed for a prediction, O'Malley leaned slightly towards Pimblett, citing the Liverpudlian's size and confidence, but admitted the matchup felt like a coin flip given the uncertainty around Topuria's mental state post-defeat.

Why is O'Malley feuding with Ian Machado Garry?

O'Malley didn't hold back in a YouTube reaction video targeting welterweight title challenger Ian Machado Garry. The bantamweight star took issue with a 2023 clip where Garry claimed he was the main reason European fans woke up to watch UFC 292, an event headlined by O'Malley's title win over Aljamain Sterling. "This just got personal," O'Malley said. He also joked about Garry's recent comments that the world would be better if run by women and poked fun at the Irishman's vegan sponsorship with PETA. Garry challenges Islam Makhachev for the welterweight title this Saturday in the UFC 330 main event in Philadelphia.

Can Sean O'Malley become the bantamweight GOAT?

With consecutive wins over Song Yadong and Aiemann Zahabi, O'Malley believes he can re-enter the greatest-of-all-time discussion at 135 pounds. His reign ended two years ago with two losses to Merab Dvalishvili, but he now sees a path. "After it's all said and done I'd like to consider myself the GOAT," O'Malley said. He pointed to his past wins over Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan as key credentials. The next major piece of the puzzle is the upcoming third fight between Yan and Dvalishvili, set for October 24 as the co-main event of UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi. O'Malley suggested that if Yan wins, a decisive victory over the Russian would bolster his own legacy considerably, though he still wants a rematch with Dvalishvili when the timing is right.

• O'Malley's Path: He believes beating Petr Yan again and eventually avenging his loss to Merab Dvalishvili could cement his GOAT status.
• Lightweight Speculation: O'Malley's coach Tim Welch has heard rumors of a Paddy Pimblett vs. Ilia Topuria fight in December.
• Division Shakeup: Song Yadong's knockout of Umar Nurmagomedov reshapes the bantamweight title picture, a development O'Malley watched closely.
• Current Form: O'Malley is on a two-fight win streak with victories over Song Yadong and Aiemann Zahabi.