Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has revealed that Conor McGregor was the reason he became invested in mixed martial arts, describing the Irish superstar as his biggest inspiration as a fan.
Speaking on IMPAULSIVE, O’Malley admitted that he only began closely following the UFC because of McGregor’s meteoric rise. He said:
“I’m the biggest Conor fan. I really started paying attention to the UFC because of Conor.”
‘Suga’ also recalled the first McGregor fight that truly captured his attention:
“I remember the first Conor fight I watched was when he fought Max for the first time. That was the first time I was really invested in the UFC. Conor will be back.”
Check out Sean O’Malley’s comments about Conor McGregor below:
McGregor defeated Max Holloway via unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 26 in August 2013, a victory that proved to be a major stepping stone in his legendary career. Despite suffering a torn ACL during the bout, the Irishman showcased his well-rounded skill set and continued his rapid ascent toward superstardom.
Conor McGregor’s Impact on an Entire Generation
Conor McGregor’s influence on the sport extends far beyond his accomplishments inside the Octagon. The former two-division UFC champion transformed mixed martial arts into mainstream entertainment, becoming the promotion’s biggest pay-per-view draw and one of the most recognizable athletes on the planet.
After capturing the featherweight title with his iconic 13-second knockout of Jose Aldo at UFC 194, ‘The Notorious’ made history again by defeating Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 to become the UFC’s first simultaneous two-division champion.
His rivalries with Nate Diaz, Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier helped produce some of the biggest events in combat sports history, while his crossover boxing match against Floyd Mayweather generated unprecedented global attention.
For many younger fighters currently competing in the UFC, McGregor served as their introduction to the sport. O’Malley is far from the only fighter to credit the Irishman for inspiring his MMA journey.
Uncertainty Surrounds McGregor’s Future
Sean O’Malley’s comments come amid ongoing speculation regarding Conor McGregor’s fighting future.
The 38-year-old returned to competition at UFC 329 earlier this year for a long-awaited rematch against Max Holloway. However, the highly anticipated comeback ended in heartbreak when McGregor suffered a devastating knee injury moments into the contest. The injury forced the fight to be stopped just over a minute into the opening round, raising fresh questions about whether the former two-division champion will ever compete again.
Despite the setback, many fighters and fans continue to believe that McGregor’s story inside the Octagon is not over.
Whether he competes again or not, his legacy remains unmatched. As O’Malley’s comments demonstrate, McGregor’s influence helped create an entire generation of UFC fans and fighters, cementing his place as one of the most important figures in mixed martial arts history.
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