Sean O'Malley: 'Locked In' for Petr Yan Bantamweight Rematch

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Sean O'Malley says he is "locked in" for a bantamweight title rematch with Petr Yan, insisting the fight has to happen next regardless of what the UFC announces.

O'Malley made his case in a UFC 333 reaction video posted to his YouTube channel, pushing back on the idea that Song Yadong could be next in line for Yan's belt. Yan retained the bantamweight title at UFC 333 by beating Merab Dvalishvili for the second straight time, and O'Malley has made clear he views himself as the only logical opponent.

Why O'Malley Wants Yan Next

Sean O'Malley's argument leans heavily on a chain of results connecting him, Yan and Song Yadong. "I beat him like six months ago, seven months ago. January," O'Malley said of his win over Song. He pointed out that Song fought Yan on one of O'Malley's old title defense undercards and lost, while he himself has already beaten Yan. "It's got to be me vs. Petr," O'Malley said. "Song fought Petr on one of my undercards when I defended the championship, and Petr beat Song. I beat Petr. I beat Song. It's got to be me vs. Petr, in the United States, early Q2, late Q1. Book it."

O'Malley has already beaten Petr Yan once, a win that still anchors his case for an immediate rematch now that Yan sits on top of the division again. He was clear that even if the UFC books Yan against Song Yadong instead, he still considers himself next. "Even if they announce Petr vs. Song, I'm still fighting Petr next," O'Malley said. "That's how much I'm fighting Petr next."

What O'Malley Said About His Mindset

Sean O'Malley described a kind of nervous energy as he waits for the matchup to materialize. "It gives me this good anxiety, this good nervousness," O'Malley said. "I'm locked in. I've been locked in since the last fight knowing I might be fighting Petr Yan again. We're staying locked in whenever the fight is. It's going to be the greatest, the biggest bantamweight fight in UFC history. I don't know when, I don't know where, but I know it's going to happen."

There is no official UFC confirmation yet on an O'Malley-Yan rematch, date or opponent order at 135 pounds.

Betting Angle

Until the UFC actually books this fight, there is no firm market to point to, but the competitive picture is worth tracking closely for bettors. O'Malley lost his title to Dvalishvili before Yan took it from Dvalishvili twice, which muddies any simple form-based read. O'Malley's style, built on distance striking and counters, lines up very differently against Yan's pressure and dirty boxing than it did against Dvalishvili's wrestling-heavy approach, and that stylistic matchup is exactly why books will likely treat this as a competitive line rather than a lopsided one if it gets made. Bettors should also watch whether Song Yadong gets inserted first, since any delay changes the entire futures market at bantamweight and could shift value on O'Malley's title odds in the meantime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sean O'Malley's rematch with Petr Yan officially booked?

No, as of now there is no official UFC confirmation of a Sean O'Malley vs. Petr Yan bantamweight title rematch, though O'Malley says he expects it to happen.

Why does Sean O'Malley think he should fight Petr Yan next?

Sean O'Malley argues he already beat Petr Yan once and also beat Song Yadong, who lost to Yan, making him the clearest next challenger for Yan's bantamweight title.