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Sean O'Malley called out for grudge match by ex-champ following UFC 316 loss

Originally posted on MMA on SI | By Mathew Riddle | Last updated Jun 9, 2025 7:30 AM ET

Following his gut-wrenching defeat at UFC 316, Sean O'Malley is now the target for many UFC bantamweights looking to add a big name to their resume.

During the buildup, O'Malley eradicated social media and other distractions from his life, even entering the fight without his dyed hair motif or his iconic walkout tune, 'Superstar.'

None of this mattered as Dvalishvili mauled O'Malley for three rounds before submitting him with a north-south choke. As a result, one of O'Malley's longtime haters has come out of the woodwork demanding a grudge fight.

Amanda Nunes storms cage at UFC 316 to confirm comeback fight

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Henry Cejudo calls out Sean O'Malley for Merab Dvalishvili victim fight

Taking to X after the result, O'Malley's rival, Henry Cejudo, called his shot. 'Triple C' delivered a crude message to the former champion, mocking his lifestyle changes.

"Hey Sean, you should've stroked the cord before the fight and let your wife's boyfriend record it," Cejudo wrote. "Anyways, I'm still looking for a tune up. Siblings fight all the time, let's give Merab a Father's Day present he will never forget. What do you say precious?"

Hey Sean - You should’ve stroked the cord before the fight and let your wife’s bf record it ️

Anyways, I’m still looking for a tune up. Siblings fight all the time - Let’s give Merab a Father’s Day present he will never forget

What do you say precious? @SugaSeanMMA pic.twitter.com/oYNdTfvFqW
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) June 8, 2025

O'Malley and Cejudo have been at odds since their backstage interaction at UFC 276, where Cejudo pressed O'Malley for a fight. Now, both fighters ride a collective five-fight losing streak.

Still, it's doubtful the UFC makes Cejudo-O'Malley, considering O'Malley's last two losses were in title fights, and Cejudo has been defeated in two non-title fights.

UFC probably banks on O'Malley's star power and ranking by allowing a younger, marketable fighter to enter the bantamweight title picture.

This article first appeared on MMA on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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