Sean O’Malley has a message for UFC fighters grumbling about their paychecks: should you’re not proud of “10 and 10,” there’s all the time a purple vest ready for you at Goal. As O’Malley gears up for his blockbuster rematch at UFC 316 this Saturday, the bantamweight star isn’t pulling any punches in terms of the game’s most heated debate.
Sean O’Malley to UFC Fighters: Don’t Just like the Pay? Attempt Goal
Former UFC champ ‘Suga’ Sean O’Malley doubled down on his blunt philosophy concerning fighters who’re simply beginning out within the UFC. In an interview with Demetrious Johnson, he defined:
“Individuals complain, ‘I’m solely getting paid 10 and 10.’ However in actuality, who’s there to see you combat? Your mother, your dad, your sister, a pair buddies, nobody’s paying to look at you on TV. It’s a must to construct your title up, convey worth to the promotion. In the event you don’t wish to make $50,000 a combat, go work at Goal. Nobody’s forcing you to combat.”
UFC Fighter Pay Debate Heats Up
The US-born O’Malley’s feedback land at a time when fighter pay stays a hot-button challenge in MMA. Critics say the UFC’s entry-level offers, $10,000 to indicate, $10,000 to win, are too low for the dangers fighters take. The UFC, in the meantime, contends that the true cash involves those that can draw a crowd, promote pay-per-views, and turn out to be stars. Sean O’Malley, who began on those self same “10 and 10” contracts, says the hot button is self-promotion and efficiency.
“I understood early that it’s a must to convey worth to the UFC and construct your individual model,” he stated, pointing to his personal rise via highlight-reel knockouts and a knack for advertising and marketing himself, rainbow hair included.
He’s fast to credit score the UFC for his platform: “I nonetheless make – in all probability about the identical amount of cash outdoors the UFC as I do contained in the UFC proper now. It’s wild to consider. However I do know the explanation I’m making that a lot is due to the UFC. I wouldn’t have this platform or following with out them. It’s very mutual: I’ve completed so much for the UFC, however they don’t want me. I would like the UFC to get to the place I wish to go. I’m very grateful for the platform they provide me.”
Constructing a Model, Constructing a Paycheck
‘Suga’ Sean O’Malley’s hustle began lengthy earlier than the brilliant lights. “Even once I was 16, I used to be hustling – promoting tickets, merch, getting sponsors. Tim Welch advised me to get an Instagram once I moved down right here. I all the time wished to be totally different. The rainbow hair? That was 6ix9ine-inspired. The primary time I did my hair was the Eddie Wineland combat, hair plus that knockout was a recipe for achievement. Each combat, a brand new hair. Nevertheless it all the time comes right down to efficiency. Individuals wish to see knockouts.”
UFC 316
Now, he returns to the Octagon at UFC 316 in Newark, New Jersey, trying to reclaim the bantamweight title from Merab Dvalishvili, the person who took it from him final September. Sean O’Malley has left no stone unturned in his preparation, even making way of life modifications like swearing off podcasting, video video games, and, reportedly, taking a vow of celibacy within the lead-up. He’s hoping to erase any doubts from their first assembly, when he fought via harm.
Merab Dvalishvili, for his half, has been on a dominant run, dismantling O’Malley of their first combat and defending his belt in model in opposition to Umar Nurmagomedov. Saturday’s foremost occasion is an opportunity for O’Malley to show he belongs on the high, and for Dvalishvili to cement his reign. The UFC 316 card is stacked, with a co-main occasion that includes Julianna Peña defending her girls’s bantamweight title in opposition to two-time Olympic judo gold medalist Kayla Harrison.
As O’Malley places it, if you need the massive checks, that you must convey one thing further to the cage. In any other case, there’s all the time Goal.
