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Sean Suga O’Malley’s trademark swagger may have taken a hit with his recent injury, but his determination is as fierce as ever. The former bantamweight champion, known for his electric personality and knockout power, is already eyeing a return to the octagon in early 2025 after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left hip.
The injury, which O’Malley sustained during his UFC 306 title loss to Merab Dvalishvili, required surgery in October, sidelining him from full-contact training. Despite this setback, O’Malley wasted no time in resuming what training he could, updating his fans through his popular YouTube channel.
Back in Action, Slowly but Surely for Suga
Though O’Malley is still weeks away from full-contact grappling, he’s already back in the gym working on his striking. His coach, Tim Welch, shared on the Timbo-Sugar Show that O’Malley has started hitting mitts and engaging in light sparring.
“Good news is ‘Suga’ Sean is back to training,” Welch said. “We got into some mitts, some light sparring. He’s moving well.”
O’Malley remains cautious, knowing that rushing back could jeopardize his recovery. “I can’t wrestle yet. I can move around, hit mitts, shadowbox, spar a little. But grappling is still off-limits,” O’Malley explained. “Probably about three weeks out from being able to start drilling.”
The Road to April
At 30, O’Malley is at a crucial point in his career. After tasting championship gold, his competitive fire is burning hotter than ever. He’s targeting an April return, but nothing is set in stone.
“I’m like three, four weeks out from being able to start drilling. Once I start drilling, I feel like I can go to the UFC and have a timeline,” O’Malley shared. “April might make sense, so we’ll see.”
What’s Next for O’Malley?
A potential April return puts O’Malley back in the mix of a stacked bantamweight division. Whether he faces a top contender or seeks redemption against Dvalishvili, one thing is clear: Suga Sean’s return will shake up the division.
Fans are eager to see if O’Malley’s time away from the octagon has sharpened his resolve and made him an even more dangerous fighter. If his journey from injury to recovery is any indication, the Suga Show is far from over.
Stay tuned to Fight.TV for updates on Sean O’Malley’s return and all things MMA.
What do you think?
Can O’Malley reclaim the bantamweight title in 2025? Drop your predictions in the comments below!
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