Sean O'Malley Predicts 'Inevitable' Clash with Boxing Star Gervonta Davis

By Tim Burke September 13, 2024 12:25

(Photo by Nolan Walker/Zuffa LLC)

The historic Riyadh Season Noche UFC at the Sphere, a highly anticipated event in the combat sports world, takes place on Saturday, September 14th. Dana White has promised fans it will be the greatest sporting event of all time.

O'Malley, the show's star, is the A-side in the main event. He is the man Dana White and the UFC have entrusted to headline their most unique and historic event, a true testament to his skill and popularity.

At a Press Conference for Riyadh Season Noche UFC, O'Malley had this to say when asked if his level of stardom can reach the heights if Conor McGregor.

"I think Conor {Mcgregor} has one more huge fight in him, and if he goes out there and loses his next fight, it will be like 6 in a row. It has got to die down eventually but maybe not. That just tells how big of a star he is. But I would assume if he goes out there and loses, I am there. I am the guy, I am number one." O'Malley told reporters at a press conference for Riyadh Season Noche UFC

Sean O'Malley plans to succeed Conor McGregor as the face of the UFC promotion. It appears he also intends to follow Conor McGregor's blueprint for crossing over into boxing.

Without question, the fight that made Conor McGregor the most money and the biggest star was his 2017 crossover fight against Floyd Mayweather.

O'Malley appears set on recreating that spectacle against Gervonta Davis.

While appearing on Stephen A Smith's podcast, Sean O'Malley stated his interest in boxing and called out WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis.

"I need to knock out two or three more guys to get a boxing fight; I am okay with that. I will keep doing what I do, but boxing is never out of the picture. I would not mind {fighting} Gervonta Davis. He's just so little. You know I like my matchup, we are the same weight class. I like that matchup. That'd be the one I pick; if I had to pick, it would probably be him. I believe I can beat Gervonta Davis." At Thursday's Riyadh Season Noche UFC Press Conference, reporters asked O'Malley about a potential super fight with Gervonta Davis. "It depends on my performance. I need to go out there and knock this dude out with my hands. If I do that a few more times that fight is inevitable."

However, UFC CEO Dana White may think differently. MMA fighters have not had much success against boxers in crossover events. Conor McGregor was knocked out by Floyd Mayweather, Francis Ngannou was brutally knocked out by Anthony Joshua, Tyron Woodley got knocked out by Jake Paul. These crossover fights end poorly for MMA fighters and hurts the UFC promotion.

"You know how I feel about crossover fights. That is how they end." White told reporters when asked about Francis Ngannou's knockout loss to Anthony Joshua following UFC 309.

The real question is, do the fans want to see it? It will happen if there is a demand for that fight like there was with McGregor and Mayweather.

For now, Sean O'Malley's focus is on the UFC. He is committed to defending his title and working tirelessly to be the face of the UFC promotion. We will know with time whether or not a crossover super fight is in his future. On September 14th, O'Malley will be up against the biggest challenge of his career. Will O'Malley continue to rise to greatness or will Merab Dvalishvili take it all away?