Morning Report: Sean O’Malley might not return until next summer
Sean O’Malley is itching to get back inside the octagon.
“Suga” has had plenty of time to lament the loss of his bantamweight title, which now sits around the waist of Merab Dvalishvili after the Georgian fighter wrestled his way to a unanimous decision win over O’Malley at UFC 307. Shortly after, O’Malley announced his plan to undergo surgery to deal with a lingering hip injury, a procedure that could keep him out for an extended period of time.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, O’Malley confirmed that he had the surgery and narrowed down the timeline for his return.
“Got surgery Thursday, today’s Saturday, it’s been f*cking two days,” O’Malley said. “I feel f*cking great. I feel great. I’m going to come back better than ever, I’m going to be back next week to sparring.
“No, I’m going to do everything right. I’m going to recover as fast as I possibly can. Everyone’s like, ‘Don’t come back too soon.’ I’m coming back the right amount of soon, but I want to be back ASAP. I want to get these fights in while I’m still young enough. I turn 30 this month, so I want to recover, do everything right, but I want to get back in there April, May, June latest. June would be the latest. I think I can be back before that. March maybe even would be crazy, but who knows? I’m just going with the flow, day by day.”
The loss to Dvalishvili snapped a seven-fight unbeaten steak (including one no-contest) for O’Malley, a run that included a win and defense of the UFC bantamweight title. O’Malley competes in one of MMA’s deepest divisions, so it remains to be seen what the 135-pound landscape even looks like when he’s able to book his next fight.
Meanwhile, Dvalishvili awaits his next challenger and while he’s taunted O’Malley with the possibility of a rematch, in all likelihood his first title defense will be against the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov.
TOP STORIES
Savior. The MMA Fighting crew review an incredibly weird UFC 307 card headlined by a show-saving performance by Alex Pereira and Khalil Rountree Jr.
Pound-for-Pound. Kayla Harrison and Julianna Peña make big moves in MMA Fighting’s latest Pound-for-Pound rankings.
McCoward? Justin Gaethje’s manager claims Conor McGregor has been ducking “The Highlight.”
Ungodly. Joe Rogan and referee Marc Goddard had a front-row seat to the “Poatan” show and they were in awe of the UFC champion’s power.
Heart. UFC CEO Dana White praised Pereira and Rountree for their warrior spirit.
Humble. Kevin Holland had some, uh, not-so-kind words for himself after his UFC 307 loss.
Back? Amanda Nunes teased a possible return with a message to Dana White telling him to “call me.”
VIDEO STEW
UFC 307, break it down.
On to the Next One.
Israel Adesanya predicted when “Chama” would happen.
Alexander Volkanovski reacts, too.
The Mind of Mighty Mouse.
FLAVOR IN YOUR EAR
Weighing In. “Big” John McCarthy and Josh Thomson give their take on the Jon Jones-Michael Jordan comparison.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Always be suspicious of bets when the celebrity has a deal with the book, but Conor McGregor allegedly made a pile of cash this weekend.
If you don’t take risks you won’t drink champagne. @Duelbits #anotherone #winner #bestodds pic.twitter.com/51Fsi0GvdS
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 7, 2024
Ilia Topuria wants to make that Islam Makhachev fight happen.
I don’t need to cross lines but it seems like the kids that hang out with you will try to cross a line they can’t come back from. Let’s leave the kids out of it and settle it like adults inside the octagon 2025 https://t.co/19ypdhSCYA
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) October 7, 2024
Love from Chris Curtis
Been kinda cool to see Khalil Roundtree get so much love from the community after that performance. He earned it, and it is genuinely awesome to see people rally behind his effort, even in a loss. Sometimes, the mma community shows they can be the good guys too.
— Chris Curtis The Action Man (@Actionman513) October 7, 2024
Tough scenes.
Someone just told me Mario Bautista called me out yesterday? I couldn’t hear him with Baldo’s balls in his mouth all night. You don’t get a fight with Triple C after a performance like that! I’d rather fight Baldo @Bautista_mma
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) October 7, 2024
You already turned down the fight pre Aldo! My performance? You haven’t won a fight in 4 years and your last two you got beat at your own game! Got out wrestled and pretty much got teched your last one..”champ” https://t.co/atAb4iaXJm
— Mario Bautista (@Bautista_mma) October 7, 2024
Retirement.
Favorite moment of the fight #UFC307 pic.twitter.com/NUiOVWCfiO
— Carla Esparza (@CarlaEsparza1) October 7, 2024
Learn from GSP.
https://t.co/RDpokV3qJE pic.twitter.com/cAs5gMNU31
— Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) October 7, 2024
Nate.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Charlie Campbell (9-2) vs. Mauricio Ruffy (10-1); UFC 309, Nov. 16
FINAL THOUGHTS
WE BACK, MAMA!
That’s right, The Morning Report is BACK! We took a brief hiatus but you can expect TMR bright and early, Monday through Friday, unless something comes up. Whew, it’s good to be back! — Meshew
And if UFC 307 didn’t hit the spot for you, we got a couple of APEX events and another pay-per-view just around the corner. That’s right, the UFC is double-dipping in the PPV pool this month.
Pereira vs. Rountree delivered and it’s not too early to start salivating over the Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway clash that headlines in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 26.
The UFC train just keeps on rolling. — Lee
EXIT POLL
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