Following Petr Yan's successful title defense at UFC 333, Sean O'Malley has intensified his campaign for a bantamweight championship rematch, declaring it would be the biggest fight in the division's history. O'Malley, the current number two ranked bantamweight, wasted no time in sending a direct message to the champion after his victory, stating, “Petr Yan! You're out there celebrating your victory. I'm training, in the rain.”
O'Malley's Persistent Challenge
O'Malley has been vocal about his desire for a second encounter with Yan, a sentiment he has expressed consistently, including in the lead-up to UFC 333. According to MMA Sucka, O'Malley believes a rematch would surpass previous division records in terms of numbers and gate revenue. This push for a title shot comes after Yan, the reigning bantamweight champion, secured a unanimous decision victory over Merab Dvalishvili in a five-round contest at UFC 333 in October 2026. Yan, who is 33 years old, now holds a UFC record of 13-4-0, and extended his UFC win streak to four fights with that win.
The initial clash between O'Malley and Yan at UFC 280 in October 2022 resulted in a split decision win for O'Malley, a verdict that generated considerable debate among fans and pundits alike. Many observers felt the decision could have gone the other way, adding a layer of unresolved tension to their rivalry. Since that contested bout, O'Malley, who is 31 years old, has compiled a UFC record of 12-3-0. His most recent outing saw him defeat Aiemann Zahabi by KO/TKO punches in the second round at UFC Freedom 250 in June 2026, a fight where the pre-fight market had him at an 80% chance to win. Prior to that, in January 2026, he secured a unanimous decision victory over Song Yadong at UFC 324.
Champion's Perspective and UFC Considerations
Petr Yan, whose official UFC ranking places him as the Bantamweight champion and fourth in the Men's Pound-for-Pound rankings, has also shown interest in a rematch. Before his recent defense at UFC 333, Yan told MMA Fighting in October that given their history, a fight with O'Malley would be a logical next step. His last fight against Merab Dvalishvili was a hard-fought battle, with the pre-fight market giving Yan a 48% chance to win, highlighting the competitive nature of the contest. Yan's takedown defense stands at 87%, a significant factor in his grappling exchanges, while O'Malley's takedown defense is 69%.
UFC CEO Dana White has acknowledged the strong contenders vying for the next bantamweight title opportunity. Following UFC 333, White revealed that discussions had centered on two primary candidates for Yan's next opponent: Sean O'Malley and Song Yadong. While the UFC has yet to officially announce the next challenger, O'Malley's consistent call-outs and recent performances are clearly positioning him for a potential championship showdown.
By the numbers
| Fighter | UFC record | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Sean O'Malley | 12-3-0 | Bantamweight #2 |
| Petr Yan | 13-4-0 | Bantamweight champion |
UFC records count UFC fights only. Records and rankings from UFC Stats and ufc.com.
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