UFC bantamweight king Sean O’Malley is promising to go steal Alexander Volkanovski’s championship rematch dream this Sunday – and in the same style that has already seen him amass a $600,000 stash of UFC performance bonuses.
Quickly emerging as one of the UFC’s true stars, Suga Sean is now looking to defend his shiny, new bantamweight strap against Ecuadorian arch rival Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera at UFC 299.
Apart from being on a run of five straight wins, O’Malley has also earned a staggering eight UFC performance bonuses – worth US$50,000 each – in his past 10 fights.
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‘My leg will be on his f***ing chin’ | 24:16
Speaking with Fox Sports Australia this week, the 29-year-old revealed he is yet to touch the growing haul worth $600K Down Under, while also revealing he may add to the pile by selling his Lamborghini.
And why?
“I’ve got a driver now,” he grinned.
Elsewhere, the champ suggested that if he can secure redemption in Sunday’s headliner over Vera – who dealt out the only loss of his career in 2020 – he will also consider moving up in weight to chase ‘Champ Champ’ status.
Of course, that would involve a showdown with new UFC featherweight champ Ilia Topuria, who took Volkanovski’s title via brutal KO at UFC 298.
Asked what Volkanovski should do with his immediate fighting future after consecutive knockout losses, O’Malley suggested the Sydneysider, even at 35, consider sitting out for as long as a year.
The champ also hailed Topuria’s win, which he saw live – “dude is very skilled, very scary, beautiful performance” — but also stressed that should the pair ever thrown down: “I can knock his ass out”.
So as for the Topuria explosion?
“To be a superstar, you have to want to be a superstar,” O’Malley explained.
“And he wants it.
Suga plans to put Chito’s ‘lights out’ | 08:20
“He’s clearly eating it up.
“And good for him.
“He’s doing a good job.
“And as a potential opponent, I like seeing that.
“Go out there, build yourself, and become massive.
“Because I’m already a superstar and that’s how big fights get made.
“But while he’s big in his country, I’m big globally.
“And I believe I can knock his ass out.”
So as for what happens with Volkanovski?
“Volk is a GOAT, a legend,” O’Malley stressed. “And because I’m not in his head, I don’t know exactly what he should do.
“But a break is never a bad idea.
“I know that when you get older, you want to fight as much as you can.
“But his skills aren’t going to go anywhere.
“So give it seventh months, eight months, maybe even a year, then come back and get yourself a massive fight.
“Volk is a such big star that when he comes back, he should be able to get a big fight whether Ilia is still the champ or not.”
Asked about his own push to get Topuria off a win at UFC 299, O’Malley continued: “If Volk gets that next title shot, I’m not mad at it.
“He’s definitely deserving.
“But while I’m not stuck on that fight, I’ve still planted a little seed.
“It’s a good time to be the Suga Show.
“But what happens?
“You’re guess is as good as mine, brother.
“Topuria could very well could be next.
“I don’t know.
“But what I do know is that there’s nothing if I don’t get past Chito and I’m planning on our fight being a 25-minute war.
“Chito is as tough as it gets.
“He’s never been dropped, never been subbed, never been knocked out.
“So I’m readying for war.
“But I also know my fights tend to play out with a beautiful finish.
“And that’s how I envision it going.”
Elsewhere, O’Malley revealed he is yet to spend a cent from any one of his eight UFC performance bonuses.
“Haven’t touched my bonus money, ever,” he said.
“It’s just sitting in its own little account, doing its own little thing.”
You’re getting fairly good at lining them up, right?
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“Whenever I see what I’m getting paid for a fight I just add another 50 gees,” he laughed.
“I know I’m getting something, either performance or fight of the night.
“And that’s been my style since I was 16 years old.
“I’ve been knocking people out and putting on performances since I started in this sport.
“So while I wouldn’t say I expect the bonuses, I’m never surprised.”
Reckon you might break the saving rule if you beat Chito?
“I haven’t really got any s… I need to buy,” he shrugged.
“I’ve got everything I need.
“So I might just spoil the family. I might just give it to mom and dad.
“I dunno.
“I’ve got seven houses, a bunch of cars …”
Like what?
“Lambo, Corvette, Sprinter Van,” he started. “Then there’s a couple of Teslas, and a little Slingshot.
“But my favourite is the Sprinter.
“I’ve just hired a driver too now, so I’ll probably get rid of the Lambo … I’m not driving much, just sitting in the back.”