LAS VEGAS – Sean O’Malley recently made headlines and surprised many in the MMA community by saying he might walk away from fighting in 2026.
Yes, despite being highly ranked, being one of the bigger stars in the UFC, and just being 31 years old, O’Malley (18-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) teased a potential retirement from MMA, as he prepared for a return to the cage. O’Malley takes on Song Yadong (22-8-1 MMA, 11-3-1 UFC) in the co-main event of Saturday’s UFC 324 at T-Mobile Arena.
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Speaking to MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s UFC 324 media day, O’Malley clarified his stance on retirement, which eased many fans.
“I don’t see myself being done fighting at the end of the year,” O’Malley explained. “As long as I’m healthy, as long as my body can fight, I’m going to fight.”
O’Malley has no set date or number of fights he’d like to retire at. What’s certain for him, is that that day won’t come any time soon.
“I’m just going with the flow,” O’Malley said. “There’s not a date or amount of fights. It’s a feeling. Once I feel like I’m done, I’m done.”
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For now, “Suga” is focused on defeating Yadong. He believes a win will unlock another title shot – even on his current two-fight losing skid, which came in title fights against Merab Dvalishvili.
“It’s got to be me vs. Petr next if I go out there and take care of business,” O’Malley said. “If not, you know, I don’t know, I just feel like I’m kind of trying to manifest that. I think I go out there and put on a beautiful performance and me vs. Petr at The White House is huge.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Sean O’Malley clarifies comments on potential MMA retirement in 2026
