O’Malley admits he’s glad fight with ilia Topuria never happened

The veteran fighter suddenly had a different perspective on the idea of ​​fighting ilia Topuria, especially after the latter made a real splash in the UFC world. When the young fighter impressed with a first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 to take the lightweight belt, O’Malley was completely surprised by the performance. During the live broadcast, he admitted how happy he was that their earlier challenge never materialized.

“Islam vs. Ilia has to happen. He’s on the level of Jon Jones now. He’s knocked out Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway and Oliveira. Who can stop him now in the lightweight division?” the 28-year-old said on his YouTube channel.

He also added that he was actually grateful that his challenge was not accepted at the time. “Thank God he didn’t accept my challenge after I beat Chita. Honestly, it’s lucky the UFC didn’t organize that fight,” he said, honestly admitting that he wasn’t ready for such an opponent at the time.

Verbal skirmish and future plans

Let's remember that O'Malley and Topuria were in a verbal conflict last year. Ilia had just become the featherweight champion at the time, while Sean was at the top of the bantam division. The fighter from Arizona did not hide his desire for that showdown.

"There are fighters you just want to challenge, and Ilia is one of them," O'Malley said, stressing that he likes spectacular and big fights.

However, that fight has not taken place so far, and O'Malley has suffered two losses in the meantime against Merab Dvalishvili, who still holds the bantamweight throne.

However, O'Malley believes that Ilia has a great opportunity for another big fight, barring a duel with Islam Makhachev, who has moved up to welterweight to challenge for the title against Jack Della Maddalena.

"Ilia vs. Paddy, that's a fight we have to see. That fight just has to happen. It would be an incredible press conference, a great build-up and a great match. Honestly, that's a fight the UFC has to put together. I'm going to call Dana White right now and see what we can arrange," O'Malley concluded, hoping to make this fight happen.