Sean O’Malley Took Notes From Conor McGregor’s Playbook Earlier than Knocking Out Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292

It’s no secret that UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley desires to be the subsequent Conor McGregor. The latter is, in fact, one of many largest stars within the historical past of blended martial arts, having carried out greater than most to popularize the game, and having develop into one of many causes the game has damaged into the mainstream cultural consciousness, particularly in America and Europe.

Simply final 12 months, ‘Suga’ claimed that not solely was he flattered at being in contrast with ‘Infamous’, however was additionally decided to overhaul the Irishman as the game’s hottest star. Whereas this declare didn’t go down effectively with most followers, Mac’s affect on the 135-pound champion is unmistakable. One other instance of this affect got here with the footage of him backstage earlier than his title shot towards Aljamain Sterling.

Sean O’Malley watched Conor McGregor clips previous to UFC 292 title bout

Sean O’Malley defeated Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292 final 12 months to wrest the UFC bantamweight crown off of ‘Aljo’. At his sniping greatest, the rainbow-haired bantamweight caught Sterling with a wonderfully positioned counter after Sterling prolonged too far attempting to hit O’Malley.

Among the finest strikers in UFC historical past, ‘Suga’s accuracy, counter-striking, understanding of vary, and precision are actually paying homage to the UFC’s first two-division champion. This isn’t all stunning since O’Malley was watching outdated highlights of McGregor earlier than strolling in to combat ‘Aljo’ on the TD Backyard in Boston.

The behind-the-scenes happenings moments earlier than O’Malley walked out to combat ‘Aljo’ was caught on the backstage documentary, ‘Struggle Inc: Contained in the UFC’. In it, ‘Suga’ could possibly be seen watching the Irishman knock out his opponents along with his traditionally nice placing skills as he sat ready to make his walkout.

O’Malley’s coach Tim Welch remarked how they favored to see McGregor’s outdated clips due to the various high-pressure conditions he has been in. To which the 29-year-old agreed, taking within the Irishman’s poise and tranquility through the fights. “Yeah, the best way he reveals up each time, hundred p.c,” he mentioned. And O’Malley is hoping to develop into a breakout star and observe McGregor’s instance by crossing over for a boxing match.

‘Suga’ desires to field Ryan Garcia, however nonetheless has work to do

Sean O’Malley defended his title for the primary time, avenging the one lack of his profession towards Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera at UFC 299 earlier this 12 months. After featherweight champion Ilia Topuria rejected ‘Suga’s call-out, the Montana native is nearly positively going to face the official primary bantamweight title contender, Merab Dvalishvili. Whereas no date has been set but, O’Malley has indicated in a tweet that he desires it to be subsequent 12 months.

And the champ is more likely to be at his perfect and make an announcement in his combat with Dvalishvili, as he has set his eyes on crossing over and going through boxing famous person Ryan Garcia in a boxing match. After ‘King Ry’s current breakout victory over Devin Haney earlier this 12 months, the UFC champ spoke a few doable combat with the boxer. O’Malley felt he was “two extra f***ing sick performances” away from being a large enough star as a result of “I’m not there but. I’ve nonetheless obtained to develop into greater.” 

Which might not be a simple process towards Dvalishvili, who’s a stylistic matchup for the champ. The Georgian is a world-class wrestler, and is coming off a victory over wrestling Olympic gold medallist and former two-division UFC concurrent champion, Henry Cejudo.

And O’Malley, who depends nearly totally on his good placing doesn’t have a lot of a floor recreation. Which makes him inclined to being taken down on the bottom, the place nothing good may occur for the champ. However, if he can defeat Dvalishvili with the aptitude and magnificence with which he defeated Sterling and ‘Chito’, he would definitely be one step nearer to changing into the subsequent famous person of the UFC. However there’s a good distance for him to go but, and any comparisons with Conor McGregor, essentially the most consequential particular person the game has ever seen, is a bit hasty.

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