Eddie Hearn presses Sean O’Malley to ‘grow some balls’ over UFC White House pay

Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn continues to be a thorn in the UFC’s side after Sean O’Malley revealed his UFC Freedom 250 pay.

Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley not only didn’t earn a post-fight bonus for his KO at UFC Freedom 250, but he reportedly made less money than some of his previous checks.

O’Malley defeated Aiemann Zahabi at UFC Freedom 250 earlier this month at the White House to continue his case for another bantamweight title shot. Zahabi entered the fight on an impressive win streak and could’ve earned a title shot with a win over O’Malley.

In a recent interview, O’Malley made headlines when he claimed he made ‘way less’ money for his performance at the White House than his previous wins. O’Malley’s comments reignited the ongoing debate over UFC fighter pay, which continues to fuel the bad blood between Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn and UFC CEO Dana White.

But this time, Hearn aimed at O’Malley specifically, and not White, when reacting to the former champion’s remarks.

Eddie Hearn blasts Sean O’Malley for defeatist attitude about UFC fighter pay

In a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Hearn reacted to O’Malley’s startling revelation.

“You’ve literally got guys that are making more for an eight-round fight against a guy that I would beat than Sean O’Malley fighting at the White House,” Hearn said of O’Malley.

“It just doesn’t make sense, and those guys need to stop being suppressed. I’m just shocked by the kind of mindset of, ‘Oh well, there’s nothing else we can do, really. You know, it is what it is, and if we don’t do it, we’re just going to get benched. So, we’ve got to do it, really.’ I can’t understand that.

“The guy’s a superstar. The guy’s a phenomenal fighter…Sean O’Malley, he could walk around New York City and get mobbed,” Hearn continued on O’Malley. “So, you need to grow some balls, and you need to start fighting for what’s right for you and your career and making sure you’re respected for putting your life and health on the line when you step in the Octagon.” (h/t Bloody Elbow)

Hearn’s remarks come just days after it was announced that UFC welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry signed with Matchroom. Garry will fight UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 330 later this summer.

Who should Sean O’Malley fight next after UFC Freedom 250? Let us know in the comments!