Sean O’Malley, known as “Sugar,” solidified his status as the reigning king of the Bantamweight division following a triumphant first title defense at UFC 299 on March 9, 2024. The 29-year-old fighter showcased his dominance with a unanimous decision victory over Marlon “Chito” Vera, avenging the lone loss in his 20-fight career (18-1, 1 no contest).
Having successfully defended his championship belt, O’Malley now finds himself with numerous enticing options for his future bouts. Prior to his recent victory, O’Malley had flirted with the idea of stepping into the boxing ring, even mentioning potential matchups against elite pound-for-pound boxers such as Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia. However, O’Malley”s ambitions seem to be expanding beyond these possibilities.
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During an appearance on The MMA Hour, O’Malley expressed doubts about Garcia”s readiness for such a challenge, questioning the young boxer”s mental preparation. Despite earlier contemplations of a crossover fight, O’Malley now seems more inclined towards facing a boxing legend like Floyd Mayweather, who remains active in the ring despite retirement.
Mayweather, aged 47, left professional boxing with an impeccable record of 50 wins, retiring after a 10th-round technical knockout victory over Conor McGregor in August 2017. Since then, Mayweather has engaged solely in exhibition matches, boasting a record of 3-0 with 1 no contest, along with three no decisions.
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With Mayweather still in the picture, O’Malley sees the potential for a monumental showdown, hinting at the possibility of skipping past other contenders like Ryan Garcia and Gervonta Davis. O’Malley”s confidence in his abilities and his desire for high-profile matchups hint at an exciting future for the rising star in combat sports.