TLDR
- Sean O’Malley admitted he considered retirement following his fight at UFC 324 against Song Yadong
- O’Malley called the thought of retiring ‘scary’ and said a loss could have ended his career
- The close nature of the Song Yadong fight made O’Malley question his future in the sport
- Despite the retirement thoughts, O’Malley decided to continue his fighting career after winning the bout
- O’Malley’s honesty about his doubts reveals the mental challenges fighters face after difficult contests
Sources: MMA Junkie | MMA Fighting | Bloody Elbow
Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has admitted that he seriously considered retirement following his fight at UFC 324. The 30-year-old fighter revealed the news in recent interviews, calling the thought of walking away from the sport “scary.”
O’Malley faced Song Yadong in what turned out to be a close battle at UFC 324. The fight pushed O’Malley to his limits and forced him to think about his future in mixed martial arts.
“That was a scary thought,” O’Malley said when discussing the possibility of hanging up his gloves. The Montana native explained that a loss in the close contest could have ended his career.
The fighter has built a reputation as one of the most exciting and skilled strikers in the bantamweight division. His colorful personality and knockout power have made him a fan favorite since joining the UFC.
Close Fight Sparked Career Questions
The bout with Song Yadong proved more challenging than many expected. O’Malley admitted that the difficulty of the fight made him question whether he wanted to continue competing at the highest level.
If the judges had scored the fight differently, O’Malley says he might have walked away from the sport entirely. The close nature of the decision left him evaluating his commitment to fighting.
O’Malley’s career has included both highlight-reel knockouts and tough battles. He previously held the UFC bantamweight championship before losing the title.
The fighter’s admission sheds light on the mental toll that professional fighting takes on athletes. Even successful fighters like O’Malley face doubts about continuing their careers after difficult fights.
What’s Next for O’Malley
Despite his retirement thoughts, O’Malley ultimately decided to continue his fighting career. He came through the Song Yadong fight with a victory, which helped him push past the doubts.
The fighter’s honesty about his retirement considerations is rare in a sport where athletes often hide their vulnerabilities. O’Malley has never been afraid to speak his mind about personal matters.
His decision to keep fighting means fans will see more of his unique striking style in the octagon. O’Malley remains one of the biggest names in the bantamweight division.
The Song Yadong fight served as a turning point in O’Malley’s career. Instead of ending his time in the sport, it became a moment that tested his resolve.
O’Malley’s team has not announced when he will fight next. The UFC typically books top bantamweights several months in advance.
The fighter’s openness about retirement thoughts shows the reality of combat sports. Every fight could potentially be a fighter’s last, depending on the outcome and their mental state.
O’Malley told reporters that working through those scary thoughts helped him appreciate his career more. The close call with retirement gave him a new perspective on fighting.
Fans and analysts had speculated about O’Malley’s future after UFC 324. His recent comments confirm that those questions were valid and that the fighter himself was unsure about continuing.
The bantamweight contender says he is now focused on his next challenge. He has put the retirement thoughts behind him and is training for future fights in the UFC.
