The bantamweight title will be on the line at UFC 333 when Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili meet for their highly anticipated trilogy on October 24. Dvalishvili beat Yan in their first outing in 2023, but the Russian got his revenge at UFC 323 last December, snapping the Georgian’s 14-fight winning streak.
One fighter who will be watching the co-main event closely is Sean O’Malley. “Suga” is riding a two-fight winning streak after beating Song Yadong at UFC 324 and knocking out Aiemann Zahabi at UFC Freedom 250.
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O’Malley also has history with both Yan and Dvalishvili. Now, he has shared private messages with the reigning champion and hinted at his plans to reclaim the bantamweight title.
Sean O’Malley Responds to Payton Talbott’s Ducking Accusations After His Latest Win
In a recent appearance on MMA Guru, the former bantamweight champion pulled up his Instagram exchange with Yan. The two traded playful warnings, with both seemingly open to a rematch if Yan gets past Dvalishvili at UFC 333.
O’Malley said, “I had some words to say with Petr over Instagram, and I would love to share it with you. These are, so I send him a voice message, and when he talks, he says, ‘Sean, come to Abu Dhabi.’ It’s kinda hard to say, but this is what I say to him.”
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“Suga” then played his voice note for fans. He said, “Petr, what’s up, buddy? Hope you’re doing well. Hope you beat Merab so I can beat your ass again.”
Yan was quick to fire back, replying, “Sure, hello. Coming to Abu Dhabi. I smash Merab up, and you will be next.”
The exchange ended with both fighters laughing, and O’Malley couldn’t resist taking a playful jab at his potential opponent. “Did you hear that laugh? One more time. Oh, little Petr. I like little Petr.”
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For context, O’Malley and Yan first met at UFC 280 in October 2022 in Abu Dhabi. The Arizona native walked away with a controversial split-decision victory, although many fans believed Yan had done enough to win.
That result ultimately helped O’Malley secure a title shot against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292. He made the most of the opportunity, finishing Sterling in under two rounds to become the new 135-pound champion.
Now, O’Malley could be eyeing another shot at gold. However, he has also faced questions about allegedly avoiding rising contender Payton Talbott following the latter’s knockout victory over Deiveson Figueredo at UFC 332.
O’Malley recently pushed back against those accusations, insisting that the UFC never offered him a fight against Talbott at UFC Freedom 250. He also made it clear that he would be willing to face the rising star.
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He said, “I swear on my family, I did not get offered Payton Talbott at the White House… He called me out, and that sounds good.” O’Malley then explained how the outcome of Yan’s upcoming title fight could shape his next move.
O’Malley admitted, “Petr goes out there and loses, let’s squabble. Me and Payton, let’s make it happen. Petr goes out there and wins, I’m ducking him. I’m ducking him for a tougher fight… I’m ducking him for a Petr Yan. I fought four of the greatest bantamweights of all time in my last 7.”
He continued, “Petr, Aljo, Merab and I beat Merab once, so I beat all three of the greatest bantamweights of all time. I ain’t ducking!”
A Yan victory at UFC 333 could set up a rematch with O’Malley, giving the former champion a chance to settle their rivalry and reclaim the title. Meanwhile, another Dvalishvili win could leave O’Malley with a different decision to make, especially after losing to the Georgian twice.
With the title picture hanging in the balance, all eyes will be on UFC 333 to see who emerges as champion and whether O’Malley gets the rematch he wants or finally settles things with Talbott.
