O'Malley On Yan's Likely Strategy In Title Rematch

Sean O'Malley expects Petr Yan to lean heavily on wrestling if the two meet again for the UFC bantamweight title.

The former champion and current number one contender told reporters he knows exactly what Yan will bring to a rematch, per MMA Junkie. O'Malley holds a controversial split-decision win over Yan from their first meeting, a result that has fueled calls for a second fight now that Yan holds the belt.

O'Malley Says Yan Abandoned His Striking Style

O'Malley said Yan changed his usual approach when they fought the first time. "Petr Yan, his game plan's not to go in there and wrestle anybody unless it's 'Suga,'" he said. "He never wrestled as much as he did until our first fight." O'Malley added that Yan took down Merab Dvalishvili in their bout, proving he has legitimate grappling skills, though he does not see Yan's wrestling as the same threat Dvalishvili posed in their rematch.

O'Malley said he went into the first Yan fight expecting a striking battle against a top-ranked opponent and was caught off guard by the Russian's wrestling pressure. This time, he plans to be ready. "I know what I need to do to beat Petr Yan. I need to outstrike him," O'Malley said. "He's going to wrestle."

The rematch remains unofficial, but O'Malley is positioned as the clear next challenger at bantamweight. He predicted the bout would feature high-level kickboxing mixed with scrambles on the mat.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — Sean O’Malley ‘knows’ what tactic Petr Yan will use in possible title rematch