O'Malley Explains Why UFC Doesn't Give Him Desired Opponents. Sean O'Malley revealed that the UFC selects his opponents for him. His request for a rematch with Petr Yan was denied. He is now preparing for a fight against Aiemann Zahabi.
Sean O'Malley has publicly denied rumors that the UFC accommodates him in choosing his opponents. According to the fighter, despite his popularity, the organization independently decides whom he will face in the octagon. O'Malley stated that this time he requested a rematch with Petr Yan, but the UFC refused without explanation. Instead, he was offered a fight with Aiemann Zahabi, and he agreed to the terms.
Previously, O'Malley had already tried to arrange a bout with Zahabi, but was instead matched up with Song Yadong. Now, the situation has repeated itself: his request to fight Yan was left unanswered, and the choice of opponent remained with the promotion. O'Malley emphasized that it is UFC who makes the decisions, and this is part of their policy. He noted that his win over Petr Yan in 2022 could have been a reason for a rematch, especially after Yan became a two-time champion, but the organization did not take this step.
In the upcoming fight with Zahabi, O'Malley is looking to get back into the title race. However, he admits that the situation is complicated by the presence of other contenders. According to him, Merab Dvalishvili has already been promised the next fight with Yan, and O'Malley himself has lost to Dvalishvili twice. Even if he secures a convincing victory, it is not certain that it will allow him to overtake his rival in the queue for the title shot.
Despite a complicated relationship, Dvalishvili supports O’Malley, and both do not rule out the possibility of a future rematch. For now, O’Malley’s priority remains victory over Zahabi. It is important to note that such situations with opponent selection are not uncommon in the UFC: the organization often acts based on its own strategic interests rather than the fighters’ preferences. Similarly, in football, the coaching staff of the Spanish national team independently determines the lineup for key matches, as was the case during preparations for the clash with Cape Verde — details on coaching decisions and team expectations.
For reference: UFC is the world’s largest mixed martial arts organization, where match decisions are made based on rankings, commercial interest, and sporting intrigue. Aiemann Zahabi is a Canadian bantamweight fighter. Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili are among O’Malley’s main rivals in the division. Such situations involving refusals of rematches and fight scheduling regularly spark discussion among athletes and fans.
