LAS VEGAS – Dana White needed persuading to approve Sean O’Malley’s bout.
At UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi, O’Malley (15-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) takes on Petr Yan (16-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC), a former bantamweight champion.
Sean Shelby had to sell White on the O’Malley-Yan bout on Oct. 22. UFC president believed “The Suga Show” was too soon.
White said post-bout at DWCS 47, “Sean Shelby came up with that fight.” Sean Shelby fought. “Are you crazy?” Don’t argue now. He told me why, and O’Malley was ready.
At his peak, O’Malley will turn 28 in October. He smashes. He convinced me. Both men wanted it. Everyone loved it when we announced it. It should be a nice battle, too.
The bout comes after O’Malley’s last battle with Pedro Munhoz at UFC 276 was declared a no contest following an unintentional eye poke in Round 2. Yan lost the UFC 273 bantamweight championship to Aljamain Sterling, his lone octagon defeat.
