Sean O’Malley is already one of the most popular stars in mixed martial arts (MMA) today, but the undisputed UFC bantamweight champion is hoping that a successful 2024 campaign leaves him as the biggest name in the game.
ESPN MMA (shortened clip shown below). “I think I go out there and put two beautiful performances together. I will be as big as Conor.
“UFC has grown, 30, 40, 50 percent since Conor was really in his prime. That COVID really boosted UFC. So I have a lot more eyeballs, a lot more opportunity to become more of a star.
“When I say stuff like that people always like, ‘Oh you wannabe Conor.’ He’s the biggest star in combat sports. Of course, I want to be as big as him.”
O’Malley, who is coming off a spectacular knockout win over Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292 last August to claim the 135-pound title, is scheduled to defend the belt for the first time in a rematch with Marlon Vera at UFC 299 this coming March. If “Sugar” is able to defeat Vera then his next opponent will likely be the winner of Henry Cejudo vs. Merab Dvalishvili, which goes down at UFC 298 on Feb. 17.
