Sean O’Malley Sighs in Relief After Avoiding Tony Ferguson-esque Tragic Career Path

Sean O'Malley talks about how his win over Song Yadong at UFC 324 helped him not to go down the same route as Tony Ferguson.

Sean O’Malley Sighs in Relief After Avoiding Tony Ferguson-esque Tragic Career Path

Sean O'Malley happy not to go down Tony Ferguson path (via MMA Fighting, Reddit)

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Sean O’Malley’s victory over Song Yadong at UFC 324 carried significance beyond the win column, as it halted potential momentum loss at a critical stage of his career. Entering the bout under pressure, the former champion required a statement performance to reaffirm his position among the bantamweight elite.

Following the event, O’Malley addressed how a loss could have altered his career trajectory. ‘Suga’ became one of the UFC’s most popular champions after capturing the bantamweight title from Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292.

His reign, however, was disrupted by consecutive title fight losses to former titleholder Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 and UFC 316, respectively. Those setbacks marked a turning point, leading ‘Suga’ to step away from competition temporarily. During that period, he prioritized recovery and spent time with his family.

The Montana native entered the bout believing a loss to Yadong could have pushed him toward retirement. At UFC 324, he eased back into rhythm before asserting control as the fight progressed. By the third round, O’Malley dismantled Yadong to earn a unanimous decision. He recently discussed with coach Tim Welch how a defeat could have mirrored UFC legend Tony Ferguson’s late-career decline.

This was the most relief I ahd felt after a fight, coming off two losses, I’d never thought I’d come of like 3 losses and never be that guy. I’m like I might be the new Tony Ferguson. I would have lost like 5 straight fights and then have gone into boxing.

Sean O’Malley via YouTube

Ferguson’s decline became one of the most notable downturns in UFC history, as the former interim lightweight champion lost eight consecutive fights before departing the promotion.

After exiting the UFC, Ferguson transitioned to boxing, where he secured the Misfits Boxing middleweight title by defeating Warren Spencer. This followed an earlier bout against Salt Papi, which marked ‘El Cucuy’s first victory in five years.

O’Malley, by contrast, is now targeting a direct path back to the bantamweight title. He has continued to position himself toward a potential matchup with newly crowned champion Petr Yan. As alternatives, the former champion has outlined options that include completing a trilogy with Merab Dvalishvili. Another possible direction involves a matchup against top ranked 125-pound contender, Umar Nurmagomedov.

For the unversed, O’Malley competed in the co-main event at UFC 324 after the bout was elevated when Kayla Harrison withdrew from her scheduled fight against Amanda Nunes.

Despite entering the contest after two consecutive losses, his walkout still drew a crowd reaction inside the arena. The moment reflected his continued visibility on major UFC cards. It also suggested that ‘Suga’s superstar presence may still exist.

Sean O’Malley was shocked after seeing Paddy Pimblett vape backstage at UFC 324

Leading up to UFC 324, Paddy Pimblett entered the fight as the favourite, largely due to his age and fan‑favourite personality. His rapid rise in the UFC had earned him major attention and expectations heading into the main event. However, Justin Gaethje’s power and experience proved overwhelming throughout the bout. That combination ultimately led to Pimblett suffering a unanimous decision loss.

Sean O'Malley shocked by Paddy Pimbeltt's vaping habits
Sean O’Malley shocked by Paddy Pimbeltt’s vaping habits (via MiddleEasy, MMA Fighting)

Before the bout, Pimblett was seen vaping during a training video with UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall. The footage circulated widely in the lead‑up to UFC 324, drawing attention to his routine. Sean O’Malley and coach Tim Welch recently suggested that behaviour may have affected Pimblett’s performance. They noted it could have contributed to fatigue against Gaethje’s pressure.

Dude, I could not believe, I was on the weight, 136 pounds, in the back, dying like everyone else, and Paddy was sitting there ripping his vape, blowing clouds.

Sean O’Malley via YouTube

In contrast, Sean O’Malley, who has openly used marijuana, has managed to maintain high-level performance in the UFC. His controlled approach to consumption appears not to have affected his in-cage results or conditioning. The comparison highlights how pre-fight habits can vary widely among fighters. ‘Suga’s example suggests that responsible use does not necessarily hinder competitive success.

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