AUSTIN, TEXAS: During an interview with Joe Rogan, Sean O'Malley was praised for adopting a business-oriented mindset early in his fighting career.
Sean O'Malley, the newly crowned bantamweight champion, is not your typical UFC fighter. With his eccentric fashion sense, quick wit, and exceptional striking skills, he's not only capturing the attention of fight fans but also of business enthusiasts.
The 28-year-old Montana native recently revealed his passion for the business side of fighting during a candid conversation on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast.
Joe Rogan acknowledges Sean O'Malley's UFC rise and his financial planning
O'Malley, known by his nickname 'Sugar,' credits his early adoption of a business-oriented mindset as a key factor in his successful fighting career.
"I've been having a business mindset getting into fighting early, early on. Thinking about numbers and brand deals... I go and sit with Hunter [Campbell] and do our own negotiations and stuff. It's fun. I enjoy that aspect of fighting," he shared during the podcast.
Renowned podcast host and commentator, Joe Rogan, commended O'Malley for his approach, stating during the interview, "That's great that you enjoy it. For some fighters, it's like a labor. They don't do it, but if you're excited about it, that's awesome."
O'Malley's enthusiasm for the business side of MMA sets him apart from many fighters and could potentially pave the way for a prosperous career inside and outside the Octagon.
Aljamain Sterling questions O'Malley: 'Champions get immediate rematches'
Basking in the glory of his recent bantamweight title win, Sean O'Malley faces opposition to his future plans.
Aljamain Sterling, the former champion whom O'Malley defeated via second-round TKO at UFC 292, has voiced concerns about the possibility of 'Sugar' granting Marlon Vera a rematch for his inaugural title defense.
Sterling, also known as the 'Funk Master,' acknowledges the importance of "storylines" in MMA but isn't pleased about fighters relying on their personalities and past rivalries to secure major opportunities in the UFC.
After his title-clinching victory over Sterling, O'Malley immediately called out Marlon Vera for a rematch. Vera was the only fighter to hand O'Malley a loss in his career, a first-round TKO at UFC 252.
In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, Aljamain Sterling, the former bantamweight champion, had some strong words for Sean O'Malley regarding his plans for the first title defense.
Sterling reminded O'Malley of a time-honored tradition in the UFC where former champions are granted immediate rematches.
"As you said, champions turn around, they do it all the time. So we're gonna hold you to that, Mr. Sean, you're gonna turn around and do it like all the other champions, as well," Sterling stated emphatically.
He went on to express his concern about the direction the sport might be taking, saying, "Chito's No. 6, dude. There's a storyline... Why are we making this a WWE sport?"
