MMA WeeklyFollowing Conor McGregor’s footsteps, what is Sean O’Malley’s dream fight?
* * *Not since Conor McGregor's arrival has anyone had such a meteoric rise in the UFC as has Sean O'Malley.O'Malley announced his worth as a UFC fighter on Dana White's Contender Series Season 2. He landed a one-punch, walk-off knockout of Alfred Khashakyan, leaving no doubt as to whether or not he would get a UFC contract.He has since gone on to win all four of his fights in the UFC, including a recent knockout of longtime veteran Eddie Wineland at UFC 250 in June. O'Malley hasn't simply racked up wins along the way, he's also become one of the most popular fighters on the roster, due as much because of his engaging personality and colorful hairstyles as his unorthodox and flashy Octagon performances.O'Malley took part in Wednesday's UFC 252 Virtual Media Day, where he talked about his flashy style in and out of the cage, his upcoming co-main event bout opposite Marlon "Chito" Vera, his dream fight, and a whole lot more. Welcome to the Sugar Show!(Subscribe to MMAWeekly.com on YouTube)* * *TRENDING > UFC 252 Embedded: Sean O’Malley adds a little color to fight week* * * Sean O'Malley punches his UFC ticket at Dana White's Contender Series (FULL FIGHT)(Video courtesy of UFC)
MMA WeeklyTJ Brown on UFC 252 opponent: ‘I don’t think he’s really fought anybody’
Following a loss to Jordan Griffin at UFC on ESPN+ 27 to start off his 2020 in February, featherweight TJ Brown’s year was further compounded by the novel coronavirus and the lockdown that ensued.While Brown was able to get in some training, being able to work out in a facility became an issue due to the lockdown.“I’m sure like everybody else with the pandemic and all, at our gym where I not only train but work as well, it definitely hurt our numbers, and we had to change things,” Brown told MMAWeekly.com.“As far as training, I was able to have some guys, a little small tight-knit group, that kind of stayed together and got training done.”When it comes to the loss to Griffin and what he took away from it, Brown feels like he got too far away from the fighter he normally is in the bout and it cost him.“I was winning the whole fight outside of getting choked; I wasn’t so upset about the choke, I was more upset with my performance,” said Brown. “I didn’t go out there and open up like I should have. I didn’t fight like the fighter that me into the UFC. A fighter that goes out there, lets his hands go, and opens up his stand-up.”This Saturday in Las Vegas, Brown (14-7) will look to rebound when he faces Danny Chavez (10-3) in a 145-pound preliminary bout at UFC 252.* * *TRENDING > Yoel Romero out of UFC on ESPN 15 co-main event* * *“I want to be careful with my words, I don’t want to be disrespectful, but at the same time I don’t think he’s really fought anybody,” Brown said of Chavez. “He’s not fought the level of competition I’ve fought throughout my career.“He looks like he throws hard kicks. He likes to stand. His last two fights have been finished standing up. But with that being said, I think I’m better than him striking, and if I need to I’ll take him to the ground and sub him.”For Brown, he hopes Saturday’s bout will help springboard him to at least one more fight to close out his 2020.“I want to go in there, open up and let my striking go, and show what full mixed martial artist I am,” said Brown. “My goal is to win this fight, win impressively, and hopefully get onto Fight Island at the end of the year. It would be the world to me to travel like that and fight like that. That’s my goal.”
MMA WeeklyVinc Pichel hoping for quick turnaround if he beats Jim Miller at UFC 252
While it’s been a year since lightweight Vinc Pichel last stepped into the UFC Octagon, the layoff was not something he had intended to take.Following his win over Roosevelt Roberts at UFC on ESPN 3 in June of last year, Pichel was sidelined due to an injury, and then had his return further pushed back thanks to the novel coronavirus pandemic.“After the fight with Roosevelt, I was supposed to have a fight on November 4 but I had suffered a hip injury that required surgery,” Pichel told MMAWeekly.com. “I had hip surgery last December, and was in physical therapy trying to recoup from that injury.”With the coronavirus lockdown, Pichel’s return to training was dampened, but he was able to work through it as best he could and get back into fighting shape for a return this summer.“My gym got closed down,” said Pichel. “That’s definitely been a huge thorn in our side for training and whatnot. Since then things have been pretty good for me.“I haven’t had many issues. I’ve been training with this camp the last few months, and haven’t had too much trouble, luckily. I’ve been training, getting stronger, building myself back up, and I’m ready to fight again.”* * *TRENDING > Dana White says UFC return to Fight Island will likely be a lengthier run than July* * *At UFC 252 this Saturday in Las Vegas, Pichel (12-2) will look to continue where he left off last year when he takes on Jim Miller (32-14) in the featured preliminary bout.“It’s kind of a classic striker versus grappler situation,” Pichel said. “Jim Miller likes to stand and bang, which is awesome, I really like that, so hopefully it turns into a good fight of him getting hit and then trying to grapple me the whole time.”Following a forced year off from fighting, Pichel is set on closing out his 2020 as actively as possible.“After this fight, after I beat Miller, I hope I don’t get any injuries and I’m good and I can fight right again,” said Pichel. “If I can fight again this year I’m right out there. If I don’t suffer any injuries I’m ready to get back fighting.”
