O\u2019Malley believes he\u2019s exactly the kind of colorful character and crossover star Zuffa Boxing needs to break through as the upstart company seeks to make a splash across the sweet science. <\/p>\n
\u201cI’m so curious where boxing is going to go,\u201d O\u2019Malley said on his YouTube channel. \u201cI’ve seen all the promotions. It’s going to take [Zuffa Boxing] signing a superstar. Someone that just captivates, someone that you’re like, \u2018I got to watch him fight.’ The fighters they are promoting in the main events [for now], I don’t know if that’s it.\u201d<\/p>\n
O\u2019Malley (19-3, 12 KOs, 1 submission in MMA) has a pro boxing bout under his belt. The 31-year-old from Arizona scored a first-round TKO in 2016, his lone boxing match.<\/p>\n
\u201cFind me a 5-0 boxer \u2013 build me up slowly,\u201d said O\u2019Malley. \u201cI want to be paid reasonably, but you don’t have to pay me [crazy money]. A few racks to fight a 3-0, 4-0 guy on Zuffa Boxing. I would love to do that. That would be interesting. I really feel that my style can transition. God, that would be fun. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut you can’t question Dana White. It has potential. I would love to transition into boxing. Suga versus Gervonta Davis, that would be sick. I would love to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
In recent years, O\u2019Malley has had social media spats with Davis, Devin Haney, Shakur Stevenson and Ryan Garcia, but nothing meaningful has materialized outside of keyboard combat. <\/p>\n
O’Malley won the UFC’s bantamweight belt by beating Aljamain Sterling in 2023 and defended the title against Marlon Vera in 2024 before back-to-back losses to Merab Dvalishvili.<\/p>\n
O’Malley is coming off a unanimous-decision win against Song Yadong in January.<\/p>\n
Manouk Akopyan is The Ring\u2019s lead writer. Follow him on X<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>: @ManoukAkopyan