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Sean O’Malley to Undergo Hip Surgery After UFC 306 Title Defeat
Sean O’Malley is set for a significant break from competition as he prepares for hip surgery early next month. The former bantamweight champion, 29, has been battling a torn labrum in his hip for the past ten weeks. Despite the injury, he pushed through a tough training camp to compete against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 in Las Vegas, where he unfortunately lost his 135-pound title by unanimous decision.
O’Malley announced that he will undergo surgery on October 3. He anticipates a lengthy recovery period, with his return to the Octagon potentially delayed by six months to a year. “I tore my left labrum in my hip. That’s the only reason I’m going to be out for so long,” he shared during a conversation with online streamer Adin Ross. He expressed hope that recovery from the surgery would take about two months, but emphasized the uncertainty regarding his timeline for return.
In a podcast episode with his head coach, Tim Welsh, O’Malley noted that the full process—surgery, recovery, and preparing for a fight—could take up to a year before he’s ready to compete again. It’s clear that while the surgery is necessary, he is also eager to return to form. He was quick to clarify that the injury did not contribute to his defeat against Dvalishvili, despite being significantly outstruck during the bout.
Since his loss, O’Malley has found himself the target of challenges from fellow bantamweight contenders, including Cory Sandhagen and Henry Cejudo. The competitive nature of the bantamweight division remains evident as fighters vie for the top spot. Meanwhile, Dvalishvili is expected to defend his newly acquired title against undefeated contender Umar Nurmagomedov, although there has yet to be an official announcement from the UFC regarding this match-up. Dvalishvili himself has expressed a preference for facing former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo in his first title defense instead.
As O’Malley prepares for surgery and subsequent recovery, his focus is on regaining his health before stepping back into the Octagon. Fans of the rising star will have to wait and see how his recovery progresses and what awaits him in the future. Until then, the bantamweight division remains an exciting and unpredictable landscape, with several fighters ready to step up in the competition.
O’Malley’s journey serves as a reminder of the rigorous demands of professional MMA and the resilience required to overcome injuries and setbacks. As he embarks on this necessary break to address his health concerns, both he and his supporters are hopeful for his return and future success in the sport.
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