O’Malley Confident His Fight Will Outsell Canelo

Sean O’Malley is confident that his fight with Merab Dvalishvili will outsell Canelo Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga. 

O’Malley makes the second defense of his UFC Bantamweight Title at The Sphere on Mexican Independence Weekend at UFC 306 on Saturday. He competes against boxing’s Canelo, who is a Mexican. O’Malley’s fight has a few advantages that could help it do better.

It is the first event at The Sphere, which has been tipped to set a new live UFC gate record. The fight is also seen as more competitive since Merab has won his last ten fights, making him a leading contender in the division. There is plenty at stake, with the winner likely facing the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov.

Meanwhile, Canelo’s fight has been criticized by those within boxing. Oscar De La Hoya called it a robbery that fans were being charged $89.99 for the PPV. He also said he would attend the UFC 306 event at the expense of Canelo-Berlanga. While that may favor O’Malley, the UFC is also facing some issues. 

According to reports, ticket prices were reduced after failing to sell. The best tickets ranged from $3,000 to $12,000. But those prices were reduced, with some going under $800. Canelo has shown that he consistently sells even if the fight is not well received. His fight against Jermell Charlo produced a live gate of over $20 million last year.

O’Malley Reacts

This is despite Charlo moving up two weight classes in a one-sided win for Canelo. Alvarez’s fight against Jaime Munguia also sold over 500,000 PPVs. This was in the face of criticism that Canelo ducked David Benavidez. But based on the two events, O’Malley had no doubt which would do better. 

“I do believe that the numbers will be better for the UFC and us. That night, Sunday, Monday of that [next] week, it’ll be about the UFC, about the ‘Sugar’ show. I’m defending my belt, the bantamweight champ, against a guy on a ten-fight win streak in the UFC. Canelo’s fighting a guy who, I know you told me his name the other day and I forgot it already. Yeah, [Edgar] Burrito. I think UFC is going to crush it, we’re going to crush it,” O’Malley said 

O’Malley Vs. Merab

O’Malley must back up his words. Merab has been playing mind games with Suga. He shared footage of himself getting stitches after a cut, raising doubts about whether he would fight. Dvalishvili pushed the boundaries again by showing more footage of himself removing the stitches with some scissors. The bantamweight has been putting in the hard yards, even travelling to Mexico to sharpen up his boxing, given that O’Malley is a devastating striker. He has promised to humble Suga come fight night.

“I want to knock Sean O’Malley out. I will knock him out. You guys will be surprised. Watch this fight and you guys will see. I know people think I’m a grappler. You guys will see. I’m going to show different skills. I’m going to knock him out. [And] I’m going to outstrike him. You guys will see. I’m going to f*ck the shit out of him, too. You will see,” Dvalishvili stated

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