Sean O’Malley is confident that his rematch with Petr Yan will happen in 2027 👀 Following Yan’s impressive UFC 333 victory, “Suga” believes he deserves the next title shot. Nothing is official yet, but O’Malley insists the rematch is inevitable and could become the biggest bantamweight fight in UFC history 🏆 [ via @sugasean @dc_mma ]
Sean O'Malley says a rematch with Petr Yan is inevitable and is aiming for a 2027 date, arguing he has earned the next bantamweight title shot after Yan's latest win.
As first reported by DC MMA, O'Malley believes the fight could become the biggest bantamweight bout in UFC history. Nothing has been made official, and no date or event has been announced. The comments follow Yan's victory at UFC 333 on October 24.
Yan, 33, is the reigning bantamweight champion with a 21-5 record. He defended his belt at UFC 333 with a unanimous decision over Merab Dvalishvili, a five-round fight, according to his most recent recorded fight. That came after another unanimous decision win over Dvalishvili at UFC 323 in December 2025, and before that a decision over Marcus McGhee in July 2025. The Russian lands 5.16 significant strikes per minute at 54 percent accuracy and averages 1.7 takedowns per 15 minutes.
O'Malley, 32, is ranked second at 135 pounds with a 20-3 record. He is coming off a second-round KO/TKO of Aiemann Zahabi at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14, his most recent recorded fight. Before that he beat Song Yadong by unanimous decision in January 2026, and his last recorded loss was a third-round submission to Dvalishvili in a title fight at UFC 316 in June 2025. The American lands 6.05 significant strikes per minute at 60 percent accuracy.
Why it matters
- The two have met before. O'Malley beat Yan by split decision at UFC 280 in October 2022.
- Style gap: Yan's takedown average of 1.7 per 15 minutes dwarfs O'Malley's 0.24, while O'Malley holds the edge in striking volume (6.05 to 5.16) and accuracy (60 percent to 54).
- Physically, O'Malley is four inches taller at five-foot-eleven against Yan's five-foot-seven, and owns a three-inch reach advantage, 72 inches to 67.
- O'Malley has won two straight since the Dvalishvili loss, which strengthens his case in the rankings.
O'Malley's push puts a title rematch on the table, though the UFC has not commented on his claim.
