O'Malley Demands Yan Title Fight Regardless of UFC's Yadong Plans

Sean O'Malley is not waiting for the UFC to sort out the bantamweight title picture. The former champion says he will fight Petr Yan next, regardless of whether the promotion books Yan against Song Yadong first.

"I'm fighting Petr Yan next. I don't care," O'Malley said on his YouTube channel, calling a potential Yan vs. Song bout "the greatest, biggest bantamweight fight in UFC history" with what Sherdog described as obvious sarcasm.

O'Malley (20-3) was visibly bothered by Daniel Cormier's post-fight interview at UFC 333, where Cormier asked Yan whether he would fight Song next. Yan had just retained his bantamweight title with a unanimous decision over Merab Dvalishvili in Abu Dhabi, and O'Malley felt the question disrespected his claim to the next shot.

O'Malley pointed out that he already beat Song Yadong by unanimous decision in January. "I beat him like 6 months ago," he said. He also holds a controversial split decision win over Yan from 2022, giving him a case that he deserves the rematch over a fighter he recently dominated.

Yan (21-5) did not exactly endorse O'Malley's claim. The champion told media he believes Song is more deserving of the next title shot, but said he would leave the decision to the UFC matchmakers. "Song, King Kong, or anyone," Yan said after the fight.

The bantamweight division is stacking up. Yan wants to stay active, O'Malley wants his belt back, and the UFC appears to be leaning toward Song Yadong as the next challenger. Something has to give.