Former UFC fighter picks Sean O'Malley to beat Petr Yan at UFC 280

Brendan Schaub picked Sean O'Malley to score an upset win over Petr Yan at UFC 280. Weighing in on O'Malley, Schaub noted that 'Sugar' has become a pop culture icon owing to his colorful personality. However, the TUF alum reminded fans that O'Malley is still a fighter behind the colored hair and the flashy Lambo. Schaub said on his Thicc Boy YouTube channel:

"Those young YouTubers and the kids who are vaping, getting tattoos and watching Euphoria. Sean O'Malley is their fighter man...And people love him, he is a personality but don't let that rainbow smoke confuse you, the dude can fight! The dude can fight!"

Schaub admitted that picking O'Malley against a top-ranked bantamweight in the world is tough. However, 'Thiccc Boy' believes we'll see a version of 'Sugar' at UFC 280 which we have never seen before. Schaub believes that like Conor McGregor and the Paul brothers, O'Malley will shine brightest on the biggest stage:

"It's tough to pick him to win the fight but I'm gonna do it...Even though he is an underdog, I think the lights can't get bright enough for him. You can't give him enough attention. He is almost like a Conor McGregor in that aspect. Or a Paul brother, where you can't get big enough. They do better the more lights and cameras that are on them. So I think we see a version of Sugar Sean that we've never seen before."

Watch Schaub's comments on Sean O'Malley below:

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Dana White believes Petr Yan can be for Sean O'Malley what Jose Aldo was for Conor McGregor

Sean O'Malley will face the toughest test of his career when he meets Petr Yan at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi on October 22. While he is arguably one of the biggest stars in the sport today, 'Sugar' is yet to prove himself against elite competition.

According to Dana White, O'Malley's stardom can ascend to a whole new level with a win over 'No Mercy'. The UFC head honcho compared 'Sugar's fight with Yan to the iconic UFC 194 clash between Conor McGregor and Jose Aldo. The 53-year-old said on the My Mom's Basement with Robbie Fox podcast:

"There was this comparison recently where Sean O'Malley said 'I would love to be the next Conor McGregor and be a big global superstar.' Well, it's about winning key fights. He's already got that thing that people like about him, now it's about winning key fights. This fight for him is like Conor's Jose Aldo fight."

Watch White's interview with Robbie Fox below: