Sean O’Malley Believes UFC are Treading Carefully After $7.7 Billion Paramount Deal

It is no longer the old UFC anymore, and more changes to the atmosphere are to be expected from Sean O'Malley's comments.

Sean O’Malley Believes UFC are Treading Carefully After $7.7 Billion Paramount Deal

Sean O'Malley weighs in on UFC on Paramount+ limitations (via Athlon Sports, UFC)

In Short
  • UFC's $7.7 billion deal with Paramount+ introduces increased oversight on fighter expression.
  • Sean O'Malley questions the limits of free speech after Sean Strickland's microphone was cut during a press conference.
  • UFC 324, the first event under the new deal, achieved approximately 5 million streams worldwide.

The UFC’s $7.7 billion deal with Paramount+ marks a new streaming era. CEO Dana White has long supported fighter free speech. However, oversight has increased under the new broadcast model. At UFC Houston, middleweight Sean Strickland’s mic was cut during the post‑fight press conference. This prompted former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley to question the limits of athlete expression.

The UFC’s new broadcast deal with Paramount+ is a seven‑year, $7.7 billion agreement running through 2033. It makes Paramount+ the exclusive streaming home of all UFC numbered events and Fight Nights in the US and Latin America, and some major cards also air on CBS. UFC 324, held January 24, 2026, at T‑Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, was the first numbered event under Paramount+, marking the start of the new era.

At UFC Houston, Strickland earned a third‑round technical knockout over Anthony Hernandez in the main event. Following the fight, the controversial middleweight’s post‑fight press conference became notable when his microphone was abruptly cut during a profanity‑filled statement. As this had never occurred before, the interruption led O’Malley to question the credibility of free speech under the new deal.

This is Paramount, not pay-per-view. On pay-per-view, we were able to say (expletive), we could say whatever we want. The fight nights were on ESPN+, so they’re like, hey, don’t cuss in your after-fight speech. The UFC doesn’t really limit what we say.

Sean O’Malley via YouTube

Interestingly, O’Malley made his return at UFC 324, the very first card under the Paramount+ deal. He defeated Song Yadong by unanimous decision, returning to the win column after his previous losses to Merab Dvalishvili. The event was a major success, drawing significant attention across the globe. UFC 324 garnered approximately 5 million streams in North America, marking a defining start.

O’Malley’s comments stem from Dana White’s strong advocacy for fighter free speech. White has consistently defended athletes, including Strickland, during controversial moments. He has also called out multiple reporters for asking unnecessarily triggering questions to provoke reactions. The UFC CEO has stated he will never stop anyone from speaking their mind during media sessions.

Strickland’s microphone being cut drew comparisons to when Irish superstar Conor McGregor’s mic was silenced during his boxing superfight with Floyd Mayweather. Both incidents highlighted the occasional tension between live athlete expression and broadcast standards. Sean O’Malley’s comments added weight to the discussion by questioning the credibility of free speech under the new Paramount+ deal. 

Sean O’Malley reveals why he doesn’t have cauliflower ears

Cauliflower ear is caused by repeated trauma to the external ear, resulting in cartilage damage and fluid buildup that can permanently deform the ear. It is common in wrestling, Brazilian jiu‑jitsu, and mixed martial arts due to frequent strikes and friction. Fighters known for prominent cauliflower ears include UFC legends Jon Jones, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and current champions Islam Makhachev and Khamzat Chimaev.

Sean O'Malley's groin injury before UFC 306
Sean O’Malley (via MMA Fighting)

Sean O’Malley has competed in over a dozen UFC fights without developing the condition, which is unusual for an elite fighter. His striking-focused style, highlighted by knockout wins over Eddie Wineland and Raulian Paiva, limits contact compared with a grappling-heavy regimen. This prompted streamer N3on to ask why he has avoided the condition, leading ‘Suga’ to explain that limited wrestling in his regimen played a key role.

Do I look like I know how to wrestle? You get that from wrestling. I don’t wrestle. We just strike. Not me, I’ve never wrestled a day in my life. I just lay there and get beat up until the end of the round. You ever watch my fights?

Sean O’Malley via Kick

The former bantamweight champion has his work cut out for him in the stacked bantamweight division. He will have to face high-level wrestlers in the division if he wants to win the title again.

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