The current UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley continues to grab attention both inside and outside of the octagon. O’Malley displayed his fighting prowess once more, albeit in a different setting, following his spectacular victory over Aljamain Sterling in August 2023.
On September 15, 2023, O’Malley took to social media, sharing a video captioned “Stole Henry Cejudo Belt.” In the video, O’Malley playfully brandished a miniature UFC replica belt, humorously poking fun at the former UFC Flyweight and Bantamweight Champion Henry Cejudo’s size.
View this post on Instagram
The banter between O’Malley and Cejudo has been ongoing, with the two fighters trading verbal jabs for some time now. Last year, Cejudo even issued a challenge to O’Malley for a fight, although it never came to fruition. The duo’s heated past continues to entertain fans and keep the rivalry alive. O’Malley’s lighthearted jest fuels the ongoing banter between the two fighters.
The history of rivalry between Sean O’Malley & Henry Cejudo
The feud between Sean O’Malley and Henry Cejudo ignited a year ago, setting the MMA world ablaze. It all started backstage at UFC 276, right after O’Malley’s bout with Pedro Munhoz turned into a no-contest. Cejudo, the former champ, barged into O’Malley’s interview with BT Sport, issuing a bold challenge for a future UFC showdown. The bout, however, remains a tantalizing prospect, as it has yet to materialize.
While Cejudo’s quest to dethrone former bantamweight kingpin Aljamain Sterling fell short, O’Malley, known as the “Sugar” show, triumphed. He sealed the deal with a second-round TKO finish over “Funk Master.”
In a post-UFC 292 interview, O’Malley stoked the flames by hinting at a potential clash with Cejudo. “You need to f*cking settle down or I’ll pick Henry Cejudo,” he boldly declared on a podcast.
Adding fuel to the fire, Cejudo had a bout scheduled with Marlon Vera at UFC 292, but it was cruelly nixed. O’Malley seized the opportunity to taunt Cejudo, saying, “I think Henry is done for good,” O’Malley said. “He’s done, he’s retired, not coming back. He tried to come back, no one really cared. He got paid a little bit of money. I don’t think so.”
The O’Malley-Cejudo rivalry has become a hot topic among MMA fans, with fans eagerly awaiting the potential clash between the rising star and the experienced former champion. The two fighters’ keen exchanges and jabs keep the flames of their rivalry blazing, keeping spectators on the edge of their seats even if the bout hasn’t yet been officially announced.
