Conor McGregor, Sean O’Malley Hint at Sharing UFC Event in December
Newly minted UFC bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley has revealed that Conor McGregor reached out to him after the conclusion of UFC 292.
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O'Malley made the revelation on the August 22 episode of 'The Pat McAfee Show,' explaining that McGregor had reached out to him "for the first time ever," on August 21.
O'Malley explained that he and McGregor traded compliments, before "Sugar" mentioned McGregor's rumored UFC return in December and the possibility of being the co-main event beneath it.
"I said '[are] you main eventing in December? I'm [the] co-main event?' ...All he replied was 'shot caller', so I don't know what that means. ...I'm hoping that's a yes in f****** Irish."
McGregor's response neither confirms nor denies what O'Malley was asking for, and it's still unclear whether he will return to the UFC in 2023.
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The Irish superstar remarked that "December is back on the table" in a Tweet on August 22. As far as opponents go, he has Justin Gaethje, Michael Chandler and Nate Diaz on his mind.
Though, in a series of deleted voice notes on X (Twitter), McGregor exclaimed that it doesn't look like his return will happen this year:
"It's not gonna happen --- it doesn't look like it's gonna happen," McGregor admitted.
McGregor continued to call out Ari Emanuel, the CEO of Endeavor, who own the UFC:
"...Anyway, I hold the power, yeah? ...Early next year, hopefully. Ari [Emanuel], my man, I’m ready, December 16, I’m ready. anyone who wants dough. December 16. I’m ready --- anyone who wants to go.
"...I'm being kept from my livelihood here."
December 16 is the date of UFC 296, a UFC PPV with no disclosed bouts.
A McGregor headlined PPV with O'Malley in the co-main spot would surely compete for one of the biggest UFC PPV's since UFC 229, when McGregor fought Khabib Nurmagomedov.
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Interestingly enough, O'Malley was scheduled to compete on UFC 229 but had to withdraw, and he later shared a PPV with McGregor at UFC 264. With his viral UFC 292 performance, his star-power has drastically improved and a "Notorious" x "Sugar" PPV would be an instant success.
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