Sean O'Malley has addressed the backlash over his use of a COVID mask during media interactions with China's Song Yadong ahead of their January 24 bout. The bantamweight match, a significant fight for the UFC hierarchy, has drawn attention for O'Malley's comments, which he clarified were meant as a joke and not intended to offend. He expressed regret for any misunderstanding his actions caused, emphasizing his intentions were playful rather than disrespectful. Additionally, O'Malley discussed his future in the sport, dismissing retirement claims and asserting he would continue to fight while healthy, expressing interest in a rematch with Petr Yan following this weekend's fight.

By the Numbers
  • O'Malley's fight against Song Yadong is set for January 24, as part of UFC 324.
  • O'Malley is 31 years old and previously held the bantamweight title.
State of Play
  • The fight is expected to influence the bantamweight contender hierarchy for 2026.
  • O'Malley has publicly expressed a desire to reclaim his title and is positioned to do so with a strong performance against Yadong.
What's Next

Should O'Malley win against Yadong, he aims to challenge current champion Petr Yan for a rematch in the near future, coupling his performance with ambitions for title contention.

Bottom Line

O'Malley's apology for the mask incident highlights the sensitivity surrounding cultural perceptions in MMA, while his unwavering commitment to fighting signals an ongoing pursuit of excellence in his career.