During a recent episode of the This Past Weekend podcast with Theo Von, Sean O’Malley revealed the UFC fighters he most wants to knock out, including Henry Cejudo. This reflection took place as O’Malley discussed hypothetical matchups, showing interest in facing top bantamweight contenders such as Cody Garbrandt, TJ Dillashaw, Dominick Cruz, and Cejudo himself.
Sean O’Malley’s Hypothetical Knockout Targets
On the podcast, when Theo Von asked who he would pick to knock out given a day to enjoy the scenario, O’Malley, known as ‘Suga,’ listed four notable UFC fighters. He said he would start with knocking out Cody Garbrandt to get energized, followed by TJ Dillashaw, then Dominick Cruz, and finally Henry Cejudo, aiming to catch Cejudo while he was attempting takedowns. O’Malley concluded his list by adding he might call out Conor McGregor just for fun.
“So, knock out Cody [Garbrandt] for breakfast, get my blood moving. I’d probably knock out TJ [Dillashaw] after that, just like a little branch. Then I’d knock out Dominick [Cruz], and then I’d Henry [Cejudo] in the face while he’s shooting [takedowns]. So, I’d probably do just those four and then probably call out Conor [McGregor], just for fun.”
—Sean O’Malley, UFC Fighter
Although O’Malley has secured victories over several prominent bantamweight fighters, he has yet to face Garbrandt, Dillashaw, Cruz, or Cejudo in the octagon, making this knockout wishlist particularly intriguing for fans.
Henry Cejudo’s Analysis of the Upcoming Rematch Between Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley
Following O’Malley’s loss of the bantamweight title at UFC 306, he secured a title shot rematch against Merab Dvalishvili, scheduled to headline UFC 316. Henry Cejudo offered his perspective on this upcoming fight during the Pound 4 Pound podcast, predicting a victory for Dvalishvili due to his persistent fighting style.
Cejudo described Dvalishvili’s tactics as a repetitive strategy of level changes and striking, combined with takedowns that could wear O’Malley down. He questioned whether O’Malley’s striking could be effective against Dvalishvili’s relentless approach.
“Merab Dvalishvili, he’s pretty much going to do the same thing. Level change, strike, level change, strike. Maybe give up the first round and bring in the takedowns. It’s the same thing. The question is to me, could a guy like Sean O’Malley hit him to the body early, crack him to the face, and get rid of him?”
—Henry Cejudo, Former UFC Bantamweight and Flyweight Champion
Cejudo also highlighted Dvalishvili’s endurance and ability to absorb body shots, suggesting that this could shift the fight’s momentum in Dvalishvili’s favor if O’Malley’s body attacks don’t stop him in time.
“He did hurt him to the body in the fifth, and that’s an indicator that the body could be open, and I think if Merab starts getting hit to the body, he’s going to really pivot the pace. I can see Merab Dvalishvili stopping him this time around, and just getting on top of him and ground and pounding him to a pulp.”
—Henry Cejudo, Former UFC Bantamweight and Flyweight Champion
Implications of O’Malley’s Knockout Ambitions and Upcoming Matchup
Sean O’Malley’s candid remarks about his knockout wish list, including Henry Cejudo and other elite UFC fighters, underline his competitive mindset and desire to prove himself against notable opponents. His upcoming rematch with Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 316 will be a critical moment in his career, as he aims to reclaim the bantamweight title amidst a challenging bantamweight division.
Henry Cejudo’s analysis adds context to the rematch by emphasizing the difficulty O’Malley faces against Dvalishvili’s persistent pressure and wrestling-heavy style. Fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see if O’Malley can implement effective striking early or if Dvalishvili will control the fight through grappling tactics.
This evolving dynamic highlights the depth of competition among top UFC bantamweights, setting the stage for significant developments in the division’s hierarchy in the coming months.