Ad Code

Responsive Advertisement

Morning Report | Sean O’Malley wowed by Ilia Topuria’s epic UFC 317 knockout: ‘Thank God he didn’t accept my callout’

LaPhezz June 30, 2025
Alexander K. Lee https://ift.tt/Y3TG7Sw
UFC 316: Dvalishvili vs. O’Malley 2
Sean O’Malley | Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

Sean O’Malley has changed his mind about wanting to fight Ilia Topuria.

Following Topuria’s incredible first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira in the main event of UFC 317, O’Malley was in absolute awe of the newly crowned lightweight champion. O’Malley was so astounded, he retroactively walked back a past challenge he made to Topuria when both held titles in different divisions.

“Holy f*ck,” O’Malley said in a live reaction to Topuria’s win on his YouTube channel. “Islam [Makhachev] vs. Topuria needs to happen. He’s up there with Jon Jones. Knocked out [Alexander Volkanovski], knocked out Max [Holloway], knocked out Charles. Islam next at 170? Holy f*ck. Who would even fight Ilia at 155 next? Holy f*ck, man.

“Thank God he didn’t accept my callout. ... After I beat ‘Chito’ [Marlon Vera], I called out Ilia and he got scared and ran to 155. No, I’m just kidding, thank God the UFC didn’t make that fight.”

O’Malley’s verbal feud with Topuria peaked after UFC 299 in March 2024, when O’Malley successfully defended the bantamweight title with a lopsided decision win over Marlon Vera. At the time, Topuria was barely a month removed from becoming featherweight champion and O’Malley was interested in making a superfight happen.

“I don’t know there’s just certain people that you kind of just want to fight. Ilia’s that guy,” O’Malley said on The MMA Hour. “He’s also done a really good job. He’s a star. He’s not a superstar but he’s close and it takes two names to make massive fights.

“I’ve been very vocal since I’ve been in the UFC, my goal is to get the massive fights. That’s what I want and that’s the reason behind that callout.”

The grudge match never materialized and O’Malley later lost the belt to Topuria’s fellow Georgian Merab Dvalishvilli.

O’Malley then lost a rematch to Dvalishvili, making his future unclear in the 135-pound division as long as “The Machine” is on top. One thing O’Malley knows for sure is that if Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev doesn’t materialize—Makhachev vacated the lightweight title to set up a welterweight title bout with champion Jack Della Maddalena that is still to be made official—he already has a perfect challenger in Paddy Pimblett.

“Ilia vs. Paddy is the fight to make,” O’Malley said. “That’s the fight to make as simple as that. Ilia vs. Paddy, 100 percent, that’s the next fight if it’s not going to be Ilia vs. Islam.”

“This is going to be a f*cking fantastic press conference, fantastic buildup, and a pretty f*cking epic fight. Holy shit, that’s the fight to make. ... I’m f*cking excited, let’s make it happen. I’m going to call [UFC CEO] Dana [White], see what we can do.”

TOP STORIES

Legend. Ilia Topuria is the new lightweight champion, one of the few two-division champions in UFC history, and he accomplished this feat with one of the nastiest title fight knockouts ever.

Next. Paddy Pimblett has to be Topuria’s next challenger, right?

Also. Jake Paul beat Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in his latest foray into boxing.

Love. Joshua Van and Brandon Royval stole the show at UFC 317.

Nope. Dana White shoots down Jon Jones’ explanation of how the last few months of his career went down.

Redemption. Christopher Ewert is getting his shot at Dana White Contender Series after UFC 317 weigh-in debacle.

VIDEO STEW

UFC 317 post-fight show.

Re-live a wild Saturday night Watch Party.

UFC 317 post-fight scrums.

Paul vs. Chavez Jr. post-fight scrums.

FLAVOR IN YOUR EAR

On To the Next One. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee look ahead to Ilia Topuria and Alexandre Pantoja’s upcoming title challenges (don’t mess this up, UFC), and make matchup picks for the rest of the big winners at UFC 317.

SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

I want NOW.

That said, just how good is Charles Johnson?

Neat!

Respect.

No need, legend.

Hell of a stat.

Dollars and cents.

Hey, stop making sense.

FINAL THOUGHTS

It wasn’t the best possible UFC 317 card we could have had on paper, but damn if the event didn’t deliver in the end.

Ilia Topuria’s coronation was pure cinema, Alexandre Pantoja showed why he is one of MMA’s greatest champions, Joshua Van and Brandon Royval gave us a Fight of the Year front runner, and we had a couple of fantastic finishes that didn’t even earn Performance of the Night bonuses.

Even better, the matchmakers have been handed two blockbuster matchups on a silver platter in Topuria vs. Pimblett, and Pantoja vs. Van. Let’s get the ink dry on those contracts ASAP.

EXIT POLL

If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @AlexanderKlee or @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let us know about it. Also, follow MMAFighting on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and like us on Facebook.



from MMA Fighting - All Posts https://ift.tt/HsOhwy6
LaPhezz

Posted by LaPhezz

LaPhezz is an enigmatic writer who never reveals his true identity, preferring to keep his personal life completely private. He uses a pen name to create a persona that reflects his secretive nature, and his writing speaks for itself, captivating readers with his unique voice and storytelling style. Despite his mysterious nature, LaPhezz has gained a loyal following of readers who are entranced by his talent for crafting complex characters and intricate plots that keep them on the edge of their seats. He often shares insights into his creative process and the inspiration behind his writing, driven by a love of storytelling and a desire to explore the complexities of the human experience. LaPhezz's stories cover a wide range of topics, from love and loss to the mysteries of the universe. He brings a fresh perspective to every story he tells, transporting readers to new worlds and keeping them guessing until the very end. If you're searching for a writer who can captivate you with their storytelling and take you on a journey through the unknown, look no further than LaPhezz - the master of mystery behind some of the most enthralling stories on the internet.

Post a Comment

0 Comments

Dear valued readers,

I am writing to you today as LaPhezz, an international man of mystery with a passion for technology and a fascination for analytics. I have traveled the world and lived in many different places, and I have experienced a wide range of cultures and perspectives.

Despite my travels and encounters with countless people from all walks of life, I remain something of an enigma. My true identity is known to only a select few, and even those who know me well are often left guessing at my motivations and intentions.

As a tech enthusiast, I am always looking for new ways to leverage data and analytics to solve complex problems and make the world a better place. I believe that technology can be a powerful tool for positive change, and I am constantly exploring the latest trends and innovations in the field.

I am grateful to have such a diverse and engaged readership, and I am always eager to hear your feedback and insights. Whether you have questions about my work, suggestions for new topics to explore, or simply want to connect with a fellow tech enthusiast, I am always here to listen and engage.

Thank you for your continued support and interest in my work. Together, we can use technology and analytics to create a brighter, more connected world.

Best regards,
LaPhezz

Ad Code

Responsive Advertisement