UFC 248: Sean O’Malley still has ‘that Conor McGregor feeling’ after two years out – ‘it’s the Sugar Show 2.0’
- ‘I’m twice as good as I was before. I’m twice as strong, I’m twice as fast,’ says O’Malley
- American wants to ‘mix it up’ in UFC’s stacked bantamweight division as he makes long-awaited comeback to the Octagon
Bantamweight “Sugar” Sean O’Malley says there’s a simple explanation as to why he’s the most popular attraction on Saturday’s UFC 248 card, despite the fact he hasn’t fought in two years.
“The fans have that Conor McGregor feeling with me, that this could be something good,” the 25-year-old says. “They know that and that’s why the UFC is sticking with me.”
O’Malley first captured the imagination of the MMA world with his display on Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series, clobbering Alfred “The Fearless” Khashakyan (11-5) for a first-round knockout. He followed that up with decision wins in the UFC proper, the last of which (over Andre “The Asian Sensation” Soukhamthath) ended with the fighter flat on his back due to a busted foot but still with enough energy to declare: “I f****** love you Joe Rogan.”
The feeling was quickly declared mutual.
He returns to action on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, carrying a 10-0 overall record against 29-year-old Mexican Jose Alberto “El Teco” Quiñones (8-3) for what promises to be a barn-burner given both fighters’ explosive styles.