Sean O’Malley has openly admitted that trying to walk in Conor McGregor’s shoes inspired him, but also led him astray.
The bantamweight fighter has often praised McGregor, admiring not only his combat skills but also the larger-than-life presence that made him a global star. O’Malley frequently compared his own rising fame to McGregor’s, believing he could reach similar heights.
The Montana native has always respected “The Notorious,” yet things turned awkward last year when McGregor mocked him over a 2019 suspension for ostarine. Despite his admiration, O’Malley felt disappointed by the jab, sparking a brief exchange of comments on social media.
Chasing McGregor’s Persona Backfired
During a recent appearance on Between Rounds, O’Malley reflected on the impact of emulating McGregor. He admitted that trying too hard to replicate the Irishman’s persona, both inside and outside the Octagon, caused him to lose touch with himself.
“One hundred percent I saw McGregor as a role model,” O’Malley said. “The way he carried himself into fights, the confidence to predict outcomes – I got a lot from that. I wanted that same confidence. I almost lost myself trying to be him instead of being myself.”
He acknowledged that imitating McGregor brought early success, but the effect faded ahead of UFC 306. The turning point came when he faced Merab Dvalishvili and lost his bantamweight title in a one-sided unanimous decision.
“That was my second title defense, and I wanted it to feel big. I didn’t feel like it was big. I didn’t see Merab as a major name, so I had to force it,” O’Malley explained. “It was at The Sphere. I felt I had to create something, and I didn’t like that. I didn’t hate Merab. I wanted to knock him out, but I made it too personal. That was the only time I really forced anything. The ‘Chito’ rivalry felt real, but the Merab fight, I forced it a bit.”
Trying to Reclaim the Throne
O’Malley last fought at UFC 316 this past June, where he attempted to reclaim his bantamweight crown in a rematch against Dvalishvili. He fell short once again, leaving his promotional record at 10-3 with one no contest and six knockout victories.
The fighter now recognizes the danger of chasing another fighter’s image. O’Malley has shifted focus toward embracing his own identity, both in the cage and in the public eye, aiming to build a legacy on his own terms.
