Conor McGregor is the UFC’s biggest superstar to date. He is also the biggest name in mixed martial arts today. The Irishman’s achievements inside and outside the Octagon are many. However, the ever-shifting landscape of this sport always sees new contenders build themselves up. One superstar who has drawn comparisons with McGregor during his rise is UFC Bantamweight, Sean O’Malley.

O’Malley is an alumnus of Dana White’s Contender Series. He has a charismatic persona and displays an entertaining fighting style, similar to Conor McGregor of old. However, UFC president Dana White said what it would truly take for O’Malley to reach McGregor’s level of stardom.

Dana White says Yan vs. O’Malley is like Aldo vs. McGregor

UFC 280 is around the corner with perhaps the most stacked card of the year. In a crucial match for himself and the Bantamweight division, Sean O’Malley will throw down with former champion Petr Yan in Abu Dhabi. The announcement of this fight was a surprise to the fans as Yan is an enormous step up in competition for O’Malley.

During a recent interview, Dana White was asked about the implications of this match. He took the opportunity to comment on what it could do for O’Malley’s stock.

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White is of the opinion that a win could do wonders for O’Malley’s career. He acknowledged O’Malley’s attributes and star power but also said that winning key fights is important. In this context, he equated the upcoming fight to the Jose Aldo vs. Conor McGregor fight.

“He’s got the reach and height advantage. He’s got the knockout power. He’s got all the tools to win this fight. He just has to get out there and do it,” White said.

White also said that getting past “absolute savage” Petr Yan will not be an easy task. However, he emphasized how key fights like these are the moments that will make Sean O’Malley a big star like McGregor.

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When the young talented O’Malley steps into the cage against the former champion and number one ranked contender, Petr Yan, the fight is going to be fireworks.

Could Conor McGregor return to a title fight?

All eyes are on UFC 280 as Charles ‘Do Bronx‘ Oliveira and Islam Makhachev prepare to battle for the vacant lightweight title. Oliveira already considers himself the champion going into the fight. He believes that the promotion unjustly stripped him of his title prior to the Gaethje fight after a weight miss.

‘Do Bronx’ had expressed his interest in a big-money fight against McGregor in Brazil. McGregor showed up to UFC 264 with a mouth guard with the Brazilian flag’s colors on it. If Oliveira can get past Makhachev, will we see him fight McGregor next? Even though the odds are slim, it is possible.

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Charles Oliveira has beaten top contenders in the division one after the other. He has earned himself a big payday. While McGregor may not be an ideal candidate for a title fight, his stardom and draw capacity make him a desired match-up for any fighter. We will have to wait until UFC 280 to see how the plot thickens.