Debates about the greatest fighters never cease to erupt in MMA. Recently, Sean O’Malley stirred the pot with a controversial take. He challenged Dana White’s assertion about the pound-for-pound rankings, offering a fresh perspective on who truly deserves the top spot.
Sean O’Malley didn’t pull any punches in his take. He was asked about the greatest active fighter in a recent interview with Helen Yee. Without hesitation, O’Malley named Islam Makhachev as his pick for the top spot.
“Greatest fighter right now? Probably Islam. Yeah, Probably Islam… I mean, Jon Jones is up there. It’s just, you know, the picture right now, you go back four or five years, and Jon’s fought once in the last 4-5 years,” said O’Malley.
This bold statement directly contradicts UFC CEO Dana White’s recent comments. White had proclaimed that as long as Jon Jones was active, no one else could claim the pound-for-pound throne. It seems O’Malley didn’t get the memo, or perhaps he just chose to ignore it.
It’s a fair point, though. While Jones’ record is undeniably impressive, his recent activity leaves something to be desired. The last time Jones fought consecutively was back in 2020. Since then, he’s had one fight in 2023 and is rumored to return in November 2024. Meanwhile, Makhachev has been a force to be reckoned with in the lightweight division. His dominant performances and active schedule seem to have caught O’Malley’s eye.
Sean O’Malley Had Nightmares About Fighting Islam Makhachev
UFC bantamweight champion recently revealed a surprising source of fear: Islam Makhachev. The charismatic fighter known for his colorful hair and knockout power admitted having nightmares about facing the lightweight champ.
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In a candid moment, Sean O’Malley shared his dream-induced anxiety with fans on his YouTube channel. The normally confident O’Malley sounded genuinely rattled by the imaginary matchup.
“Islam is so f**king scary. I had a nightmare that I had to fight him. I woke up and I was like, ‘Thank god, it wasn’t real because I’ll knock that motherf**ker out.’ No actually, I was just like, ‘Oh f**k…’ He’s so well rounded, skilled as f**k,” said O’Malley.
The nightmare left such an impression that O’Malley felt relief upon waking. It’s worth noting that a real-life matchup between the two is unlikely. O’Malley competes at 135 pounds, while Makhachev fights at 155. The weight difference would make for a seriously unfair fight.
Still, O’Malley’s admission offers a rare glimpse into a fighter’s psyche. Even the most confident athletes have their bogeymen. For ‘Suga,‘ that boogeyman wears a Dagestani papakha and has a suffocating ground game.
Also Read: UFC 306: Sean O’Malley Will Knock Out Merab Dvalishvili, Claims Coach
