"The ring girls are incredible" - Sean O'Malley gets honest about potentially competing in Japan under UFC banner after attending RIZIN 49 event

Sean O'Malley spent his final day of 2024 enjoying the sport he loves, having attended RIZIN 49 in Saitama, Japan. 'Sugar' was more than impressed with the event, taking the time to sing its praises in a post-fight interview backstage, even claiming that he may one day fight on Japanese soil.

That is, however, only if the UFC permits it in collaboration with the Asian promotion. Such a scenario wouldn't be beyond the realm of possibility, as the UFC has, on rare occasions, collaborated with other promotions, like when it sent legendary light heavyweight Chuck Liddell to PRIDE FC to disastrous results.

Regardless, O'Malley remained open to the idea of competing in Japan with the UFC's approval.

"Right now, obviously I'm with the UFC. I plan to be with the UFC forever, so if the UFC comes here one day, I would love to fight in this arena. There's a good energy here."

In particular, O'Malley was won over by the production value of the event, as well as the pageantry, to which RIZIN—as a spiritual successor of PRIDE FC—gives great importance.

"The production of the show was incredible, the energy in the arena was incredible, the ring girls are incredible. Overall impression of Japan, this has been the most fun trip I've ever been on and I would love to come back."

Check out Sean O'Malley teasing a future RIZIN fight (1:47 and 5:40):

O'Malley even touched on the differences between RIZIN's ruleset and the UFC's, the latter of which does not permit kicks or knees to the head of a downed fighter. In RIZIN, though, it is different, which the former UFC bantamweight champion acknowledged could pose an interesting challenge.

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Sean O'Malley wouldn't be the first ex-champion to cross over into the other promotion

While Sean O'Malley's willingness to compete in RIZIN with the UFC's blessing is a sign of a potential crossover fight, this has already happened. Kai Asakura, the former RIZIN bantamweight champion, recently signed with the UFC in an attempt to dethrone reigning flyweight titleholder Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 310.

Despite exhibiting flashes of brilliance in his promotional debut, Asakura was ultimately dominated and submitted by the Brazilian, who continues to lap the flyweight division. Nevertheless, UFC 310 served as a positive experience for the UFC and its relationship with RIZIN, so O'Malley's ideal scenario isn't too far off.