MIAMI – UFC bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley is keeping an eye on what’s happening at 145 pounds.
The neighboring weight class of the 135-pound champ has caught his attention with the change in command at the top. Last month at UFC 298, Ilia Topuria knocked out Alexander Volkanovski to crown himself champion and propel his name to stardom in Spain.
O’Malley (17-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC), who defends his belt against Marlon Vera (21-8-1 MMA, 15-7 UFC) this Saturday at UFC 299, liked what he saw from Topuria and is interested in facing him in a champion vs. champion superfight down the line.
“Beautiful performance,” O’Malley told MMA Junkie when asked about Topuria’s performance at Wednesday’s UFC 299 media day. “I was there live, and it was a cool moment. Ilia is a scary little dude. That fight excites me. I would definitely love to get that fight eventually.”
This potential fight would involve someone changing weight classes, and O’Malley has no issue being the one who does.
“Yeah, I would move up to 145 (pounds) for that,” O’Malley said. “I’m a bantamweight for the next couple of years, but if I did do that, it would be up there. Just go up there, knock him out real quick, and then head back down.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 299.
