Ilia Topria was impressed with Sean O'Malley's dominant performance against Marlon Vera at UFC 299, but the bantamweight champion has more hurdles to jump before challenging for the 145-pound title. I believe there is.
O'Malley retained his bantamweight belt Saturday night in Miami with a unanimous decision on the scorecards. I spoke to Joe Rogan after the win and he asked for a fight with Topria as the top contender, but if the UFC says “Sugar” will next defend his 135-pound belt against No. 1 contender Merab Dvalishvili. He also said that if he preferred to do so, he would do so. I'm fine with that option.
Topuria responded to O'Malley's first title defense, answering the call on Twitter.
Congratulations, Suga. It was a great performance! There will be a battle with Merab chasing you. Please finish it first.
— Ilia Topria (@Topurialia) March 10, 2024
“Congratulations, Suga…it was a great performance,” Pria said. “There's a fight going on with Merab chasing you. Please end it first.”
Topuria defeated longtime champion Alexander Volkanovski in two rounds in the main event of UFC 298 in February, winning the UFC featherweight title along with a “knockout of the year” candidate. New champion and UFC CEO Dana White expects Topuria's first title defense to take place in Spain later this year.
After Saturday's event, White said there is no official schedule for the promotion's first regional visit at this time.
