Coach O'Malley ponders shifting his pupil to the lightweight division.
Top Contender Sean O'Malley Ponders Featherweight Move
In an interview with Ariel Helwani, the coach of former UFC lightweight champion Sean O'Malley, Tim Welch, did not rule out a potential shift for "Sugar" to the featherweight division (145 pounds) in the future. O'Malley, who stands at 180 cm and weighs approximately 72 kg outside of fights, might gain enough muscle to challenge fighters in the featherweight division if he adds a few extra kilos.
Welch further suggested that such a move could present significant opportunities for O'Malley, given the arduous weight cutting he currently encounters. The UFC 316 rematch against Merab Dvalishvili, set for June 8, serves as a crucial stepping stone for O'Malley, considering his goal of regaining the bantamweight title.
If O'Malley fails to recapture the bantamweight title following a loss to Dvalishvili, he may find it challenging to stay relevant in the title picture, especially given Dvalishvili's current dominance and historic winning streak. In this scenario, a leap to featherweight could offer a fresh roster of opponents and title chances, as well as a less taxing weight cut.
However, transitioning to featherweight would present certain hurdles. O'Malley would face larger, stronger opponents who typically boast more natural size, strength, and reach compared to bantamweights. Adapting his fighting style would be crucial to ensure his success against these bigger adversaries.
Additionally, moving up a weight class could mean starting from scratch, facing the challenge of re-establishing himself in a new division with no guaranteed title contention. Initial setbacks in the featherweight division could impact his ranking and momentum, potentially stalling his career progression.
Nevertheless, shifting to featherweight offers promising benefits, such as new challenges, opportunities, and a potentially healthier weight cut. As the UFC 316 rematch against Dvalishvili approaches, O'Malley's decision regarding his future weight class will become increasingly clear.
Bookmakers might consider O'Malley an interesting prospect in the mixed-martial-arts featherweight division, given a potential weight class switch could provide him with a fresh set of opponents and title opportunities. In light of the tough competition in the bantamweight division, a move to the featherweight class could offer a less taxing weight cut and a chance to rebuild his ranking.
