Sean O’Malley has vowed to become UFC bantamweight champion in 2023 after responding to Cory Sandhagen’s recent remarks.<\/p>\n
The rise of Sean O’Malley has been gradual. In the last twelve months, however, he’s been able to shoot to the top of the 135-pound division with a somewhat controversial win over Petr Yan.<\/p>\n
The next step on that journey is currently unknown. He may or may not get the next crack at Aljamain Sterling, the current champion. However, that honour could also go to Henry Cejudo.<\/p>\n
In a recent interview, Cory Sandhagen even piped up and suggested he should be the one<\/a> to get the call.<\/p>\n “Yeah, I definitely think so. Last time I checked, O\u2019Malley doesn\u2019t have a contract yet. I think I go out and I do really well against \u2018Chito\u2019, I could see me and Sean fighting right afterward, depending on what happens between Sterling and Cejudo,\u201d Sandhagen said to Middle Easy<\/a>. \u201cBut, that\u2019s the fight that I\u2019ll be asking for. Sean fought a bunch of, not the highest-quality of opponents and then barely beat a guy (Petr Yan) in a three-round fight. I don\u2019t think really that should get you a title shot, in my opinion. I\u2019ve been in the top five for the last three years.”<\/p>\n In response to this<\/a>, O’Malley couldn’t help but reply to BJPENN.com’s article on the matter.<\/p>\n https:\/\/twitter.com\/sugaseanmma\/status\/1610759579910148098<\/p>\n Same<\/p>\n — Sean O'Malley (@SugaSeanMMA) January 4, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n