Sean O’Malley, the UFC bantamweight champion, has clarified his desire to step into the boxing ring after claiming the title at UFC 292. O’Malley initially expressed a preference to face Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, but subsequent incidents led him to choose Ryan Garcia instead.
In an appearance on his YouTube channel’s ‘TimboSugarShow’, O’Malley revealed that the UFC has approved his decision to try out boxing, but only if it ensures a significant financial gain for the organization. Conor McGregor’s highly successful boxing match against Floyd Mayweather in 2017 has set the precedent for such transitions, generating an astounding 4.6 million pay-per-view buys and becoming the highest-viewed combat sports event in history. O’Malley acknowledges that the UFC would likely approve his boxing venture if it could generate similar revenue.
O’Malley’s impressive striking skills, showcased in his dominant performance against Marlon Vera at UFC 299, suggest that he has the potential to succeed in the boxing ring as well. However, his preferred opponent, Ryan Garcia, has issued a warning, cautioning O’Malley to be wary of what he wishes for. Garcia has implied that he would outclass O’Malley in a boxing match, prompting a response from O’Malley that he is ready to face the challenge.
A matchup between O’Malley and Garcia could attract significant attention and generate substantial revenue, although it may not reach the level of the highly anticipated McGregor vs. Mayweather encounter. Nevertheless, the UFC appears willing to sanction the fight if it meets their financial expectations.
