Sean O’Malley Issues Rare Praise For ‘Skilled’ Petr Yan Amid Potential Title Shot Discussions

Sean O'Malley reveals how UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan's technicality and fight IQ puts him in a rare category.

Sean O’Malley Issues Rare Praise For ‘Skilled’ Petr Yan Amid Potential Title Shot Discussions

Sean O'Malley commends Petr Yan (via Instagram, Bloody Elbow)

Sean O’Malley has undeniably endured a rocky couple of years since his UFC bantamweight title fight losses. However, he quickly rebounded from those setbacks and re-established momentum inside the division. The latest came against Aiemann Zahabi at UFC Freedom 250, where ‘Suga’ delivered an exceptional knockout. Following that win, O’Malley called out UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan.

O’Malley suffered back-to-back title fight losses against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 and again at UFC 316 in their rematch. However, he remained out of competition after those defeats until January 2026. He returned at UFC 324 with a dominant unanimous decision win over Song Yadong, earning a UFC White House event spot, where he later knocked out Zahabi in the second round of their undercard bout.

Yan’s rise to champion status at UFC 323 came after he defeated Dvalishvili in a highly technical striking showcase. The Russian champion is widely regarded as one of the best boxers currently competing inside the organization. O’Malley has often used trash talk when addressing Yan during their rivalry build-up. However, he recently shifted tone and took a more respectful approach when discussing Yan’s skill level.

Petr is the greatest bantamweight of all time. I do have a lot of respect for Petr. People in the community, people that know fighting know how skilled Petr Yan is. He’s as good as it gets at MMA. He’s up there with Ilia Topuria level skill, Jon Jones. He’s all-around great everywhere.

Sean O’Malley via One Night Steiny

O’Malley previously faced ‘No Mercy’ at UFC 280 in 2022 in a tightly contested bantamweight bout. The fight ended in a controversial split decision win for O’Malley, with debate over the scoring persisting afterward. The result pushed O’Malley further into title contention and raised his profile in the division. After the fight, the Montana native acknowledged Yan’s punching power and technical striking ability.

After his victory over Yadong at UFC 324, O’Malley publicly pushed for a fight against Yan at the UFC White House event. He had already called out the Russian champion on multiple occasions while attempting to secure the matchup. However, he later revealed how difficult it was to earn a spot on the event card himself. That path ultimately led him to face Aiemann Zahabi on the undercard instead.

Sean O’Malley’s callout after his Freedom 250 win reinforced his continued interest in a future fight with Yan. While Dvalishvili remains the obvious rematch option for the champion, ‘Suga’ still brings star power and marketability to the matchup. Yan’s return timeline remains uncertain as he continues recovering from a lumbar injury. The bantamweight division remains open, with key matchups still unresolved.

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Sean O’Malley weighs in on UFC Freedom 250 main event

Justin Gaethje delivered one of the most dominant performances of his career at UFC Freedom 250 against Ilia Topuria. He broke Topuria’s undefeated streak in a brutal lightweight title fight that featured sustained pressure and heavy exchanges. Gaethje overwhelmed the Spaniard with punishing striking and durability. The bout ended with Gaethje securing the lightweight title after a decisive corner stoppage.

Sean O'Malley
Sean O’Malley (via UFC)

Topuria entered UFC Freedom 250 against Gaethje confident he could extend his undefeated record. He updated his social media bio to 18-0, and reportedly held a celebration ahead of the fight in anticipation of victory. However, after the bout, he was left visibly dejected and struggled to process the loss. Sean O’Malley recently weighed in on the newly crowned champion’s performance and its impact on Topuria.

I am sure its going to be humbling. I think Ilia is going to come back better than ever, he is young still he was going through some personal stuff. I think he can come back but Justin humbled him for sure.

Sean O’Malley via One Night with Steiny

During his bantamweight title reign, Sean O’Malley was actively involved in a rivalry with Ilia Topuria. Both fighters exchanged shots on social media during their rise, adding heat to a cross-divisional narrative. However, O’Malley has recently shown more respect toward Topuria, acknowledging his star power and growing influence in the UFC. His analysis of the Spaniard’s future reflects a clear shift toward respect.

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