Sean O’Malley wants Conor McGregor to make a UFC return ‘more than anybody.’
McGregor hasn’t fought since snapping his leg in a trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier four years ago.
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The Irishman has since been actively promoting his various businesses, including BKFC, a surging bare-knuckle league.
McGregor was scheduled to make a return to action at UFC 303 last June against Michael Chandler, but he injured a toe while preparing for the bout and was forced to pull out.
The 36-year-old has teased his return to the promotion many times, but nothing has been officially announced yet, and many in the MMA world have doubts over whether he will ever come back.
Despite his controversies in the last few years, McGregor is still widely viewed as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time.
Speaking ahead of his Octagon return at UFC 316, O’Malley revealed how he has used McGregor’s successful MMA career as inspiration for his own.
“I’ve taken so much f****** inspiration from Conor,” O’Malley reflected, speaking with fellow UFC star Israel Adesanya on Thursday.
“I’ve taken so much from Conor.
“Watching his career play out and just the confidence he had to say what he was going to go out there and do, and go out there and do it.”
O’Malley was then asked whether he believes if a UFC return for McGregor is possible
“I want to see old Conor come back and knock somebody out more than anybody,” he added.
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“Conor and I have had our beef, but it was stupid… in my mind, yes, it is. He’s coming back!”
Back in May 2024, McGregor attacked O’Malley on social media after blasting Ryan Garcia for testing positive for a banned substance in boxing.
McGregor later retracted his comments, saying ‘I like O’Malley,’ and the latter has also stated he is ‘good’ with his fellow former UFC champion since the altercation.
O’Malley fights Merab Dvalishvili in a rematch for the bantamweight title at UFC 316 in New Jersey on June 8.
‘Suga’ lost the belt to Dvalishvili in September, with the Georgian securing a unanimous decision victory at Las Vegas’ Sphere in what turned out to be a fairly dominant performance.
O’Malley has brought in former UFC champion Demetrious Johnson in preparation for Dvalishvili to improve on his ground game.
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He has also stepped back from social media, announcing last December that he was quitting the platforms, calling it the ‘biggest distraction’ in his life.
The 30-year-old from Montana has endured a ‘long’ 13-week training camp for the bout, and is confident on getting the win over Dvalishvili at the second time of asking.
