Sean O’Malley sees UFC White House request denied | Sports News

Sean O’Malley had his sights set on a rematch with Petr Yan on the UFC White House occasion. During the primary card of UFC 326, which noticed Max Holloway face Charles Oliveira, Dana White unveiled the lineup for the occasion titled “Freedom Fights 250 – The White House.”

Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje are scheduled for the primary occasion, with Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane serving because the co-main. In latest months, White has mentioned how many UFC bouts will happen on the night celebrating America’s 250th anniversary — in addition to Donald Trump‘s — birthday.

Nevertheless, O’Malley has secured his spot on the cardboard resulting from his popularity as one of essentially the most charismatic and beloved fighters within the sport. He is scheduled to battle Aiemann Zhabi at Bantamweight. While he is happy to be included, this is not the opponent O’Malley hoped to satisfy on the White House garden. It got here after one UFC White House struggle fell by means of in entrance of White’s eyes.

O’Malley needed to sq. off with Yan, which might have been a rematch. He beat Yan by break up choice at UFC 280 in 2022 and captured the bantamweight title in opposition to Aljamain Sterling in his subsequent bout.

Fast ahead a few years, and Yan now holds the UFC Bantamweight championship — and O’Malley is raring for an additional title alternative. The 31-year-old challenged his rival earlier this 12 months and disclosed that Yan was his desired opponent on the historic upcoming occasion.

“I wanted Petr at the White House,” O’Malley stated. “That’s what I wanted. That’s what I asked for. They said, ‘You want Aiemann?’ I said yes, but I did mention that I would prefer Petr at the White House.

“That would have been enormous… UFC is doing what UFC does.”

He added, “We’re combating Aiemann, USA versus Canada. You know what? He’s on a seven-time longer struggle win streak than I’m on.” Yan captured the title after his shocking upset of Merab Dvalishvili in December. Following his victory over Song Yadong at UFC 324, O’Malley wasted no time targeting the Russian fighter.

“Petr Yan has one thing that I need,” O’Malley said. “All respect to Merab. If he will get the following shot, it is well-deserved. But Petr Yan, you need that rematch, I need that belt — let’s make it occur.

“Go out there and take care of Merab, if that’s what’s next. If not, let’s run it, baby!”

The UFC White House occasion has generated important buzz since Trump floated the thought of internet hosting a particular card final 12 months. During UFC 326, White confessed to Joe Rogan that organizing the occasion proved more difficult than anticipated resulting from mounting strain and several other fighter withdrawals.

White began off by saying, “Listen, I’ll say this,” and continued, “This card was a lot more difficult than we anticipated, but we got it done. You know, a fight fell out last night, the matchmaking team was literally in the office all night, last night working on this thing. It’s done, we’re ready to roll. Here we come, Washington, D.C.”