O'Malley vows to fight Yan next regardless of UFC's plans after Cormier sparks bantamweight row

Sean O’Malley declared he will fight Petr Yan next — with or without the UFC’s blessing — after Daniel Cormier’s Octagon interview at UFC 333 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi reignited a heated debate over who deserves the next bantamweight title shot.

Yan retained his bantamweight championship with a unanimous decision over Merab Dvalishvili at the event, but the post-fight conversation quickly shifted when Cormier asked the new champion whether he would like to face Yadong Song next. The question drew an immediate and furious response from O’Malley, who holds victories over both Yan and Song.

“DC, I don’t know what he’s thinking,” O’Malley said on his YouTube channel. “He’s asking about Song Yadong. I’m trying to wrap my head around it. Maybe he is next — wait, I beat him like six months ago. I’m fighting Petr Yan next; I don’t care. Even if they announce Petr vs. Song, I’m fighting Petr next… It’s gonna be the greatest, biggest bantamweight fight in UFC history.”

O’Malley (20-3) defeated Song via unanimous decision this past January and previously beat Yan via a controversial split decision in 2022. He argues those results make his claim to the next title shot unambiguous.

Yan (21-5) appeared less concerned about the identity of his next challenger, telling reporters he is ready to fight “Song, King Kong, or anyone.” While Yan suggested Song may be more deserving of the shot than O’Malley, he ultimately deferred to the UFC matchmakers to make the call.

Cormier’s question also drew criticism from elsewhere on the card. Dominick Reyes, who finished Azamat Murzakanov in the featured prelim bout, launched a separate tirade against the Hall of Famer and commentator, accusing him of biased commentary during the broadcast.

With O’Malley publicly staking his claim and Yan open to multiple opponents, the UFC’s matchmakers now face a decision that is unlikely to satisfy everyone in a crowded bantamweight picture.