“It’s bad for the division…” Youngest UFC fighter explains why Sean O’Malley brings both good and bad to bantamweight division

Bantamweight contender Raul Rosas Jr. delves into the challenges of Sean O'Malley's reign as the champion of the bantamweight division.

“It’s bad for the division…” Youngest UFC fighter explains why Sean O’Malley brings both good and bad to bantamweight division

Raul Rosas Jr. weighs in on Sean O'Malley, after his victory over Aljamain Sterling (Source: Twitter)

Sean O’Malley reigns as the bantamweight king after his title win at UFC 292. He will make his maiden defense soon against Marlon “Chito” Vera. Bantamweight prospect Raul Rosas Jr. talked about the positives and negatives of the division under the reign of O’Malley.

Rosas Jr. recognizes and professes the skills and fame Sean O’Malley brings forth, which he considers suitable for anyone in the division. This is what he said as translated by MMA Junkie:

I think it’s good for the division because it brings more attention to the division...I know that he’s someone that, if we ever fight in the future, it’s a fight that would be huge in the division. Him being champion, in a way it’s bad for the division, for the guys that truly deserve to fight for the title.
Raul Rosas Jr. via Hablemos MMA
YouTube video

Standing at 8-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC, Rosas Jr. also invoked O’Malley’s recent turmoil with Merab Dvalishvili. Dvalishvili, Sterling’s friend and sparring partner, sits with him at the top of the divisional rankings. Merab deserves to fight for the title. However, O’Malley’s star status and a revenge storyline against Chito Vera led to UFC sidelining Merab. Rosas Jr. thought this became the bad side of having fighters like O’Malley.

FS Video

O’Malley, at 17-1-0, faced his only career loss to Vera. The fighter is accordingly keen on rectifying the situation. “Suga” will aim for revenge at UFC 299. On the other hand, Rosas Jr. aims to climb up the rankings in 2024.

Sean O’Malley advised Raul Rosas Jr. to take two years off after UFC 287 loss

Sean O’Malley recently became a champion in August with a second-round TKO over Aljamain Sterling. Rising bantamweight Raul Rosas Jr. has recently been critical of the champion’s position within the division. While he commends O’Malley as a champion, he also opinionated that it blocked out slots for other deserving fighters. O’Malley once advised Rosas Jr. after the youngster lost at UFC 287.

Raul Rosas Jr. gets advice from Sean O'Malley to improve
Raul Rosas Jr. gets advice from Sean O’Malley to improve (Source: Twitter)

Rosas Jr. has suffered a skid to Christian Rodriguez at UFC 287 via decision. This was just four months after marking history as the promotion’s youngest fighter at 17, with a 7-0 pro-MMA record. Thus, O’Malley advised the Rosas Jr. to reel back and recover after his loss. Speaking on his TimboSugarShow podcast, check out what Suga said in the below tweet.

On multiple occasions, Rosas Jr. has overtly stated that he aimed to supersede Jon Jones‘ record of being the youngest champion ever. Jones became heavyweight champion in 2011 at age 23 (and 242 days). Rosas Jr. can break the record if he can climb the rankings and secure a title shot.

In case you missed it: