UFC 324 winner Sean O’Malley admits beating Petr Yan again won’t be easy: ‘Champ for a reason’

Sean O’Malley is hoping to get a second dance with Petr Yan, this time for UFC gold.

O’Malley is one step closer to returning to title contention after defeating Song Yadong on the UFC 324 card. The “Suga” show earned a unanimous decision win to snap a two-fight skid. It’s O’Malley’s first victory since March 2024.

Speaking to reporters during the UFC 324 post-fight press conference, O’Malley revealed what he’d have to do to ensure a second victory over “No Mercy.”

“He looked really good [against Merab Dvalishvili],” O’Malley said. “I’m gonna have to show up ready to go five rounds focused, improve outside of camp. Petr Yan is the champ for a reason. He’s one of my favorite fighters to watch. So, I would love to compete against him again. I’d have to have a really good camp and show up and put on an OG ‘Suga’ performance.”

Yan dethroned Dvalishvili to become the new UFC Bantamweight Champion before the end of 2025. The win prevented Dvalishvili from setting a new record for the most successful UFC title defenses in a full year. Most argue that Dvalishvili deserves a rematch and if that happens, O’Malley plans on waiting for the outcome before his next fight.

“I’m chilling,” O’Malley said. “If they make that fight, I’m chilling.”

O’Malley suffered two straight losses to Dvalishvili. Their first encounter took place back in Sept. 2024. “The Machine” defeated O’Malley via unanimous decision to capture the UFC Bantamweight Championship. In their title rematch in June 2025, O’Malley got caught in a north-south choke and was forced to tap out.

Now that the “Suga” show is back on track, he figures to be involved in a marquee fight when he’s ready to return. O’Malley told reporters that his foot is swollen, but he doesn’t think he’s suffered a serious injury.

Who would you book Sean O’Malley against next? Tell us in the comment section below.