Overview

• O'Malley says he wants to fight within four to five months, is open to a November return, and has named Song Yadong as a possible opponent.
• He is eyeing the UFC's planned White House card in summer 2026 and has floated a title bout with Sandhagen if Sandhagen dethrones Merab Dvalishvili on Oct. 4.
• Sandhagen told CBS Sports he does not view O'Malley as the next deserving challenger and would prioritize Umar Nurmagomedov or Petr Yan if he becomes champion.
• O'Malley is coming off consecutive title-fight defeats to Dvalishvili, including losing the belt in September 2024 and a submission loss in their June rematch.
• talkSPORT reports that UFC CEO Dana White is working with President Donald Trump on the White House event tied to the U.S. 250th, with high-profile names like Conor McGregor and Jon Jones expressing interest.