Sean O’Malley Admits Being Jealous of Ilia Topuria’s Stunning Richard Mille Collaboration

Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley reflects on Ilia Topuria's star power after recent Richard Mille deal.

Sean O’Malley Admits Being Jealous of Ilia Topuria’s Stunning Richard Mille Collaboration

Sean O'Malley is jealous of Ilia Topuria (via Bloody Elbow, Richard Mille)

Sean O’Malley once stood among the UFC’s most popular fighters, driven by his flashy striking style and the rise of his “Suga” persona as a widely recognized brand. However, back-to-back title fight losses and a prolonged period of inactivity after that slowed that momentum and diminished his superstar aura. In contrast, Ilia Topuria has surged into that spotlight, recently securing a major deal with luxury watchmaker Richard Mille.

O’Malley reached the pinnacle of MMA success when he knocked out Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292 to win the bantamweight title in dominant fashion and cemented his status as a top star. However, his downfall began when he lost the belt to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306. The setback worsened in the rematch, where the Georgian star submitted him, marking the start of a difficult period for the former champion.

However, O’Malley is working back into the spotlight, boosted by a win at UFC 324, where he defeated Song Yadong via unanimous decision after nearly two years without victory. At the same time, Topuria has grown beyond the UFC, becoming one of the sport’s biggest stars. The lightweight champion signed with Richard Mille as its first combat sports ambassador, leading O’Malley to admit he felt jealous of the deal.

I am jealous, I haven’t felt the jealousy emotion in a long time. But I felt it when Tim sent me a screenshot of Ilia signing with Richard Mille. I was like ‘oh, that’s sick’. But I’m also like ‘dude, he knocked out three legends, three Hall of Famers in a row, he’s headlining the White House, well deserved, 100 per cent, he deserves it… I do have two Richards, though! He probably had one too. It’s cool, though.

Sean O’Malley via YouTube

Topuria’s Octagon dominance has cemented his status as a top UFC star, highlighted by knockout wins over Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira, widely regarded as one of the greatest three-fight streaks in recent history. His Richard Mille deal adds to his marketability, while his estimated net worth of $4–5 million reflects both his in-cage achievements and growing influence outside the sport.

Talks of a potential bout between O’Malley and Topuria were considered, fueled by their frequent online trash-talking. Both fighters exchanged shots, generating buzz in the MMA community. However, the Georgian-Spanish star’s move to lightweight and O’Malley’s consecutive title losses prevented the matchup. These developments caused the fight to fade away, leaving it as a lingering “what if” situation.

Both ‘Suga’ and ‘El Matador’ are set to appear on the upcoming UFC Freedom Fights 250 card. Ilia Topuria will make his first title defense against Justin Gaethje, while O’Malley looks to extend momentum against a hungry Aiemann Zahabi. A win for Sean O’Malley could further elevate his star power and solidify his return to the sport’s elite. The card gives both fighters an opportunity to strengthen their UFC legacies.

UFC bantamweight contender questions the level of competition faced by Sean O’Malley

Cory Sandhagen is one of the most dangerous strikers in the UFC’s 135-pound division. He was poised to claim his first championship at UFC 320 but was dominated by Merab Dvalishvili in the co-main event. Despite the setback, Sandhagen has remained vocal about earning a matchup with Sean O’Malley. His focus on high-profile bouts highlights his drive to compete against top-tier opponents in the division.

Sean O'Malley hints at 2026 retirement
Sean O’Malley hints at 2026 retirement (via MMA Sucka)

Sandhagen wanted a superfight against O’Malley at the UFC White House event and accused him of avoiding top competition when he was booked to face Aiemann Zahabi instead. O’Malley later revealed he would take whichever fight offered the highest payout. The ‘Sandman’ has now recently responded by emphasizing that elite fighters should prioritize competition over earnings.

Sean’s been on the record for being like, “This is a business to me. I want to take the easiest fight for the biggest amount of money. As a fan I don’t think this character is interesting or inspiring. I get to inspire a bunch of people because I know that I took the hard road to get here, O’Malley is not like that. As a fan I can’t respect it.

Sean O’Malley via YouTube

Talks of a superfight between Sandhagen and O’Malley have lingered since 2023, with both fighters often at odds over competition choices. The bantamweight veteran criticized ‘Suga’ for taking lower-ranked opponents, highlighting a similar issue he faced earlier in his career. If Sean O’Malley wins at UFC Freedom Fights 250, there is little doubt that Corey Sandhagen will be ready and waiting for a high-stakes showdown.

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