Sean O’Malley has become a major UFC star, but despite his popularity, retired fighter Matt Brown argues that the UFC doesn’t favor any individual fighter over another for financial gain, as evidenced by O’Malley’s challenging matchup against Merab Dvalishvili.
Sean O’Malley has become one of the biggest superstars on the entire roster. His next fight headlines the first, and perhaps only, UFC card at Sphere in Las Vegas.
Since arriving from the Contender Series, O’Malley’s colorful persona has drawn a crowd. His appeal grows with each performance, especially now with Conor McGregor out of action for over three years.
O’Malley and a few others have become massive attractions. But does that mean the UFC is rooting for him to win?
Recently retired UFC veteran Matt Brown doesn’t buy that narrative. He argues that no one fighter is bigger than the UFC itself.
“The UFC’s having a record year,” Brown said on The Fighter vs. The Writer. “Whether they’re quietly rooting or actually rooting for someone, I don’t know because they’re having a record year. They don’t need a single person. They’ve got the brand. They’re pretty set. They’re f*cking cool.”
“Still setting records. The UFC is a monster f*cking brand. They are an absolute monster. They don’t need any specific star.”
It’s tough to argue with that logic considering the UFC has continued to post record earnings year after year without many of the sport’s biggest stars competing right now.
While O’Malley’s appeal is undeniable, Brown argues if the UFC wanted him to remain champion, he’d face lesser competition rather than someone like Dvalishvili.
“Ultimately, you do eat what you kill,” Brown explained. “You might have to do more killing than the other guy but you do get to eat it.”
“If I’m Dana White, I’m quietly rooting for Sean O’Malley too,” Brown added. “But if they were really rooting for him, they wouldn’t have put this fight together.”
Brown says O’Malley’s star power likely got him more opportunities. Dvalishvili had to put together a 10-fight undefeated streak including wins over three former UFC champions to earn a title shot.
“It’s very clear Sean has had an easier path,” Brown said. “That’s what you get from stardom, but you still have to fight tough guys. Merab had a harder path, Belal Muhammad had a harder path, Leon Edwards had a harder path.”
Even if O’Malley didn’t jump over as many hurdles as Dvalishvili, he can’t stay at the top without winning his biggest fights.
Brown knows everyone in the UFC faces daunting tests eventually. So far, O’Malley has passed every single one with flying colors.
“We go on all the time about how there’s not really ‘deserving’ in this world,” Brown said. “Funny things happen, different fights get put together that shouldn’t be, but if you stay on the path, you’ll face the baddest dudes in the world.”
Brown appreciates Dvalishvili didn’t falter in his quest to become champion even though it took longer.
Fans pushed for Dvalishvili to get his title shot due to his impressive win streak while denying O’Malley’s wish to move up to 145 pounds.
“Merab earned the matchup,” Brown said. “He put the UFC in a position where it was Merab or bust.”