UFC
UFC stars and experts predicts O’Malley vs. Yan: ”NOT READY!”
Petr Yan and Sean O’Malley will clash at UFC 280. Photo via USA Today Sports
Rising bantamweight star Sean O’Malley takes on his biggest challenge yet when he faces former champion Petr Yan at UFC 280.
Click “Next” to check out how MMA pros and experts predict the exciting fight!
Aljamain Sterling
Aljamain Sterling. Photo: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports samt Jeff Bottari
Pick: Both
The reigning bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling would like the odds to be set closer than they are.
”I think it’s going to be a great fight, I don’t know who’s going to win that,” Sterling told James Lynch. ”Whoever implements their gameplan better is going to win.”
T.J. Dillashaw
T.J. Dillashaw. Photo: Gary A. Vasquez – USA TODAY Sports
Pick: Yan
Former two-time bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw believes in Petr Yan.
“I’m definitely picking Yan to win the fight, but O’Malley’s good, man. He’s got good timing. His physical attributes, how long he is in the division, his timing, and his creativity could give Yan some problems. I’m not counting the guy out, but what I’ve seen from Yan, most likely Yan will get it done and chop his legs off, be aggressive and figure out his timing,” Dillashaw told MMA Fighting.
Cory Sandhagen
Cory Sandhagen. Photo via Instagram (@corysandhagenmma)
Pick: Yan
Top ranked bantamweight Cory Sandhagen thinks the former champion gets it done at UFC 280.
”I think Yan is probably going to win,” Sandhagen said.
Sean Brady
Sean Brady. Photo: Jeff Bottari / Handout Photo via USA TODAY Sports
Pick: O’Malley
Rising welterweight star Sean Brady is confident in ”Sugar’s” abilities.
”I’ve got to ride with Sean O’Malley,” Brady said.
Anthony Smith
Anthony Smith. Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie – USA TODAY Sports
Pick: Yan
Former light heavyweight challenger thinks Yan will get it done.
”I want to credit Sean O’Malley for taking that big jump in competition, I would favor Petr Yan,” Smith said.
Rafael Fiziev
Rafael Fiziev. Photo via Instagram: (@rafael_ataman_fiziev)
Pick: Yan
Top ranked lightweight Rafael Fiziev thinks Yan is too big of a step for ”Sugar”.
”I think O’Malley is not ready for Petr Yan,” Fiziev said. ”He still needs a couple of more fights.”
Curtis Blaydes
Curtis Blaydes. Photo: Per Haljestam – USA TODAY Sports
Pick: Yan
Heavyweight Curtis Blaydes thinks Yan will be to take advantage of ”Sugar’s” lack of defence.
”I think Yan will be able to capitalize on those few mistakes,” Blaydes said.
Mackenzie Dern
Mackenzie Dern. Photo: Jason Silva – USA TODAY Sports
Pick: Yan
Top ranked strawweight Mackenzie Dern believes that Yan’s experience will make the difference in the fight.
”Petr is a former champion you know,” Dern said.
Neil Magny
Neil Magny. Photo: USA TODAY via Imagn Content Services, LLC
Pick: Yan
Welterweight Neil Magny doesn’t doubt ”Sugar’s” skills but thinks Yan’s experience will be a huge factor.
”It’s hard to go against Yan in that one,” Magny said.
Geoff Neal
Geoff Neal. Photo: Sergei Belski – USA TODAY Sports
Pick: O’Malley
Welterweight Geoff Neal thinks the American will get his hands raised in Abu Dhabi.
”I’m going with O’Malley. Every time I’m fucking saying something against him he always shuts me the fuck up,” Neal said.
Daniel Rodriguez
Daniel Rodriguez. Photo via Instagram (@d_rod_ufc)
Pick: O’Malley
No. 14 ranked welterweight Daniel Rodriguez thinks the American bantamweight will with at UFC 280.
”I will have to roll with Sean O’Malley in that one. I’m a huge fan of him,” Rodriguez said.
Chase Hooper
Chase Hooper. Photo via Instagram: (@choop556)
Pick: O’Malley
Featherweight Chase Hooper thinks whatever happens, ”Sugar” is in a no-lose scenario.
”I think I’m going to take O’Malley in that one,” Hooper said.
Nate Landwehr
Nate Landwehr. Photo: Jasen Vinlove – USA TODAY Sports
Pick: Yan
Featherweight prospect Nate Landwehr thinks Yan will get it done.
”It seems like O’Malley doesn’t do well when he meets recistince, and I feel like Petr Yan is going to resist the shit out if him,” Landwehr said.
Jamahal Hill
Jamahal Hill. Photo via Instagram (@sweet_dreams_jhill)
Pick: Yan
Light heavyweight contender Jamahal Hill believes in the former champion, but thinks ”Sugar” has his best shot at the beginning of the fight.
”The longer the fight goes on I’ve got Yan winning,” Hill said.
Erin Blanchfield
Erin Blanchfield. Foto via Instagram: (@blanchfield_mma)
Pick: Yan
No. 12 ranked flyweight Erin Blanchfield thinks ”Sugar” has good skills and good reach but believes in the Russian bantamweight.
”Petr Yan is really good closing that distance,” Blanchfield said.
Tanner Boser
Tanner Boser. Photo via Instagram: (@bulldozerboser)
Pick: Yan
Heavyweight Tanner Boser believes in Yan.
”O’Malley’s looked good too, but I have to lean against Yan,” Boser said.
Miranda Maverick
Miranda Maverick. Photo: Jeff Bottari / Handout Photo via USA TODAY Sports
Pick: Yan
UFC flyweight Miranda Maverick looks forward to see O’Malley stepping up in competition.
”I’m glad to see Sean fighting somebody in the top now. We’re going to see where he stands amongst the division,” Maverick said. ”I think this is going to be a big test for him, but I’m going to say I think Yan will win.
Brandon Gibson and Jon Jones. Photo via USA Today Sports and YouTube (JamesLynch)
Pick: Yan
Former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones’s coach, Brandon Gibson, thinks it will be a tough fight.
”I would have to give the edge to the former champ in Petr, but Sean is just capable of fireworks and he has that star factor, that X-factor,” Gibson said.
Gillian Robertson
Gillian Robertson. Photo via Instagram (@savage_ufc)
Flyweight Gillian Robertson believes people sleep on O’Malley, but still thinks ”gangster” Yan will get it done at UFC 280.
”I’mg going to say Petr,” Robertson predicts.
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