According to Sean O'Malley, the UFC is "foaming at the mouth" to book a fight between Conor McGregor and Leon Edwards, should the welterweight champion retain his title at UFC 286.
On episode nine of The Bromalley Show, the No.1 bantamweight contender's brother Daniel O'Malley suggested that the UFC 286 main event is significant as the winner could potentially face 'The Notorious' Conor McGregor.
McGregor is slated to face Michael Chandler at 170 pounds after the 31st edition of The Ultimate Fighter finishes airing sometime in the fall season. While speculating whether the Irishman deserves a title shot at welterweight, Sean O'Malley disagreed with the idea.
However, Sean O'Malley didn't rule out a possibility of a fight between McGregor and Edwards (should Edwards win on Saturday). Here is what the No.1 bantamweight contender said:
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"[If] he goes out there and beats Michael Chandler, and Leon Edwards win [at UFC 286], you're telling me [that the] UFC isn't foaming at the mouth to make Leon Edwards vs. Conor [McGregor]? I don't like that fight for Conor. Leon is a dangerous, dangerous striker, and he can grapple like a motherf****r, and he's big."
Skip to 17:38 for Sean O'Malley's thoughts on Leon Edwards vs. Conor McGregor:
"Conor only fights people that he sees himself beating" - Sean O'Malley on Conor McGregor's time away from fighting
While speculating on the return of Conor McGregor, Sean O'Malley doesn't seem overly confident in the Irishman's ability to find success in future bouts. The reason 'Sugar' thinks that is because of McGregor's time away from training, coupled with him starring in the Roadhouse movie.
O'Malley alluded to the scores of young and hungry athletes out there who haven't made it, continuously training and getting better. In the aforementioned episode of The Bromalley Show, Sean O'Malley said that the Irishman is in a position to pick and choose his opponents, quoting that 'he only fights people that he sees himself beating'.
Here's what O'Malley said:
"Conor, and rightfully so, only fights people [that] he sees himself beating. You know what I mean? His whole career - he's very f*****g smart, he's like, 'I know I can beat this guy'. He's fighting Michael Chandler for a reason. He's like a Chad Mendes, he's fought these guys." [20:08]
Although O'Malley seems like he's leaning towards McGregor to win, he isn't counting Michael Chandler out. Here's what he said about 'Iron':
"Michael Chandler's dangerous, though. We should not count that motherf****r out."
While speculating about the Irishman's possible opponents at welterweight, Daniel O'Malley threw in Jorge Masvidal's name should he beat Gilbert Burns at UFC 287's co-main event.
If 'Gamebred' wins that fight, a possible fight with McGregor could possibly be on the books.