2025 MMA General Discussion and Fight Announcements

[Taytro]

Hate that they're giving Sean a rematch without making him have another fight. I get that he sells but the last fight was pretty convincing and he's done nothing but talk since.

In other news they want to get the belt off Pena and hopefully it happens.

 

[pistolpete11]

Hate that they're giving Sean a rematch without making him have another fight. I get that he sells but the last fight was pretty convincing and he's done nothing but talk since.

In other news they want to get the belt off Pena and hopefully it happens.

Doesn't feel right, but there's not really anyone else either. Nobody else can get by O'Malley and Yan and O'Malley has a win over Yan, albeit a close fight.

 

[MMC]

Hate that they're giving Sean a rematch without making him have another fight. I get that he sells but the last fight was pretty convincing and he's done nothing but talk since.

And it’s just dumb from a marketing standpoint because if he loses again (I see no reason why he won’t) then his star power will just continue to tank massively

 

[CDJ]

He was pretty checked out/gassed/deflated in the 5th round and still managed to hurt Merab, he’ll def be throwing way more teep kicks this time around

With Merab getting by Umar I honestly think Sean might have the best chance of beating him just because he has the power to finish the fight at any time and Merab can be clipped in the first (see Cejudo and Moraes fights iirc). Merab should still be the heavy favorite tho, I’d line him at like -250

 

[CDJ]

Starting to see some rumblings about a Zabit return

 

[bov]

Any contender match would have been a risk, and if O'Malley were to lose that, he would likely never get another crack. So it makes sense that they're giving him a chance at the belt now. At least if he loses again, you can say "he only lost to the most dominant 135 champion ever" and justify another title shot down the line. If he lost to someone like Yan or Sandhagen in the meantime, he ain't climbing the ladder in that weight class to get back to the top.

If the Merab that showed up against Umar appears in this rematch with O'Malley, I could see him finishing Suga in the later rounds. The body kicks could be an issue and Merab will probably have to weather the storm early, but you have to put this guy out cold to beat him and I don't see O'Malley doing that.

 

[Taytro]

And it’s just dumb from a marketing standpoint because if he loses again (I see no reason why he won’t) then his star power will just continue to tank massively

My guess would be that they see a fading star and want to capitalize before it gets too dull? Sean barely beat Yan (I think he lost) so maybe the UFC isn't confident he wins vs Umar or Sandhagen. If you match him up with one of those two and he loses then you just dulled his star for no gain, at least this way they still get the payoff if he loses.

Plus if he beats Merab, Sean sells better anyway so it's a win-win for them. I just don't want to see it and don't want the UFC to make a habit of this.

 

[I am not exposed]

Prates vs Garry new KC main event (Hill-Rountree off)

Sean O’Malley vs Merab

Kayla vs Pena

Fair play for Garry taking this fight. He does take dangerous fights on short notice.

 

[MMC]

Ah hell nah