Sean O'Malley admits that he fell into the trap of trying to emulate To the Irish superstar, first world champion of two weight divisions, Conor McGregor.
The former UFC O'Malley (18-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) gallo champion revealed during a recent appearance in Between Rounds that, although, although, although, although, although It was largely inspired by McGregor's success both inside and outside the octagonIn the end he lost a little of his own identity by trying too much to imitate “The Notorious.”
“One hundred percent,” O'Malley replied when asked if he saw McGregor as a model to follow. «The way he behaved in the fights, the confidence to say what he thought was going to happen: “I will knock out this guy in the second assault.” I learned a lot from that. I thought: “Ok, I can also have that confidence.” I feel thatin a sense, I lost myself, because I wanted to be like Conor instead of being myself».
O'Malley had charisma from the moment he entered the UFC in 2017. He fulfilled his long -awaited potential by conquering the Gallo weight title in 2023, but that reign came to an end abruptly when he lost his belt to Merab Dvalishvili at the UFC 306 last September.
«It was my second defense of the title and I thought: «I want it to be something big»», Said O'Malley. «I didn't feel it was something big. I didn't feel that merab was a great name. I had to force him. It was in The Sphere. I felt that I had to create something and I didn't like how it made me feel, in a sense, because I didn't hate Merab »
«I would have loved to knock him out… I feel that I took it too personal and I didn't like it, but that was the only time I really forced something. The rivalry with Chito felt it real. I didn't like it. That was real, but that of Merab I feel that I forced her a little.
“I think that There is an entertainment aspect that the UFC people have to do to become a superstar”O'Malley said. «You have to be yourself and then you can add a little more. Yes, find that balance. There is no one to teach you. There is no book».
