The Rise of a New Champion: Sean O'Malley
There's a new king in the UFC bantamweight division, and his name is Sean O'Malley. The charismatic fighter recently claimed the championship belt from Aljamain Sterling, adding another feather to his already impressive cap.
A Potential Cross-Sport Showdown
Despite being at the pinnacle of his division in the UFC, O'Malley has been vocal about his interest in stepping into the boxing ring. His target? None other than super-lightweight contender Gervonta Davis. Although O'Malley isn't an avid follower of boxing, he acknowledges Davis's undefeated record and sees a potential bout with him as an exciting prospect.
This interest isn't just talk. Davis recently headlined a boxing event against Ryan Garcia that generated over 1.2 million pay-per-view buys and raked in more than $22 million at the box office. A similar showdown featuring O'Malley could undoubtedly draw significant attention and revenue.
Seeking Star Power
O'Malley believes there's a dearth of star power in the UFC's bantamweight division, which is perhaps what's driving his interest in a match with Davis. "Gervonta you could consider almost a star," O'Malley said. He envisions a fight between them at T-Mobile or even in Boston as a massive event.
Overcoming Skepticism
O'Malley is no stranger to skepticism and criticism. When he predicted his rise to the top of the UFC, many doubted him. But he proved his detractors wrong by becoming the bantamweight champion. Now, he's setting his sights on another lofty goal: a cross-sport bout with Davis.
"I wouldn't mind knocking out Gervonta Davis," O'Malley stated confidently. While acknowledging that he might need to win a few more fights before such a crossover could happen, he remains optimistic. "I feel like it could happen sooner than later, but I also know that UFC is down to get behind stuff like that if it's big enough."
It's clear that O'Malley is looking to make waves not just in MMA, but potentially in boxing as well. Whether or not this ambitious crossover happens remains to be seen. However, one thing is certain: O'Malley's journey is far from over, and his next moves will undoubtedly continue to captivate fans of combat sports worldwide.