Sean O”Malley (left))(photo credit: UFC/YouTube)

By Kelsey Mowatt

After winning the UFC’s bantamweight title this past summer, Sean O’Malley pushed for his first title defense to take place before 2023 is up. But, recently “Sugar” reported it will probably be several more months before he returns to the cage.

O’Malley secured the bantamweight crown at UFC 292 in August, by stopping Aljamain Sterling in round two. Immediately after the win, O’Malley (17-1) called for a December fight with Marlon “Chito” Vera, who is the only man to defeat him to date.

More recently, O’Malley appeared on Joe Rogan’s podcast. During the show, O’Malley reported that the UFC’s hoping to have him headline a pay-per-view card, and as a result, his next fight likely won’t take place until 2024 (quotes via MMA Fighting).

“I really, really did truly want to fight in December,” O’Malley said. “Like when I called out Chito in December, but I talked to UFC and they kind of already had [plans]. They were trying to get Colby [Covington] and Leon [Edwards] together.

“I asked them — they want me to main event my own show, which I think it’s f****** dope. I’m down with that.”

UFC 296 is scheduled for December 16th in Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition to the bout between welterweight champ Leon Edwards and Colby Covington, flyweight champion Alexandra Pantoja is scheduled to face Brandon Royval.

The new champion also noted that he would be interested in fighting at the historic, UFC 300 card, if possible.

“I think UFC 300 is in April. That would be a sweet card to be on, but again, they’re not going [to want me as main event]. I’m going to guess [I’ll fight again] before that, before UFC 300.”

O’Malley also reportedly repeated his wish to fight Vera during the podcast. The latter recorded a first-round, TKO win over O’Malley in 2020.

In Vera’s (21-8-1) last outing, which also took place at UFC 292, he recorded a unanimous decision win over Pedro Munhoz. The veteran fighter is currently ranked #6 in the UFC’s bantamweight division.

The former champion Sterling is ranked #1, and Merab Dvalishvili, who has won nine straight fights, is ranked #2.