American fighter Sean O’Malley referred to himself as a “pink poodle” who intends to “kill the small Russian” Petr Yan in their forthcoming UFC 280 bout this coming Saturday at the Etihad Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
O’Malley is a graduate of the Contender Series whose immense popularity appears to have landed him a significant bout against Yan, the UFC’s top bantamweight.
In a June tweet, the Russian fighter referred to O’Malley as a “pink poodle” and stated that he would be happy to face him in the Octagon later in the year if he won his bout that weekend.
Yan stated, “I dare you to challenge me, and I will embrace it.”
“No Mercy” Yan (@PetrYanUFC) on Twitter
July 1, 2022
In the UFC 276 bout between O’Malley and Pedro Munhoz, an unintentional eye poke rendered the Brazilian unable to continue, ending in a no-contest.
A 135-pound battle versus Yan emerged nonetheless on the main card of one of the UFC’s most important events of the year, and it’s a match O’Malley is generating interest in — perhaps due to comments he made in the first episode of UFC 280: Embedded Vlog Series on YouTube.
While sporting a pink wig, O’Malley stated in the advertising video, “I got Petr a gift.” “The pink poodle is on its way to murder the tiny Russian.”
Tim Welch, O’Malley’s head coach, stated that as fight night approaches, they have been “reviewing the fundamentals and many of his tactics to keep them fresh in his memory.”
Welch stated that they had been training specifically for Yan because to the caliber of their opponent. Regardless, he reported that they are “very confident… and ready to go.”
His coach had stated that O’Malley, the “pink poodle,” is the last guy Yan will want to lose to.
Sean O’Malley with Tim Welch, his coach.
Image via Getty Images
Welch told MMA personality The Schmo, “We’re going to see Petr Yan at his absolute best. He is an effing terminator. He would prefer not to lose to the pink poodle.
Therefore, he will arrive ready to go, but we will also be prepared.
Beneil Dariush and Mateusz Gamrot clash in a lightweight brawl on the ESPN+-broadcast main card of UFC 280, and T.J. Dillashaw challenges Aljamain Sterling for his UFC bantamweight belt.
Islam Makhachev, a disciple of Khabib Nurmagomedov, faces Charles Oliveira in a five-round lightweight bout in the main event.