Sean O'Malley (Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Sean O'Malley admitted to being "sad" after hearing criticism from one of his "idols," Conor McGregor.
The Irish legend, who is set to make his return to the Octagon after a nearly 4-year absence against Michael Chandler, included O'Malley in an anti-Ostarine rant on X that was ignited by boxer Ryan Garcia testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug before his fight with Devin Haney on April 20.
McGregor's post has since been deleted, but CBS Sports captured an image of the message.
Conor McGregor deleted post from X
In the message, McGregor wrote: “This ostarine it reminds me of Sean o malley was on that as well. I don’t like this, I’ll bust yous both u, do yous want a spar I will set flights right now for you both for a full spar each. Hotel, black forge inn the lot. “letssparomalley and #garcia two little ostarine heads I’ll ride you both like yous are ostriches.”
The diss may not have caused McGregor to delete his post. It may have been the ending, where he posted in all caps, “GET YOUR HEAD TOGETHER OR KILL YOURSELF.”
O’Malley offered his profane response to McGregor on his podcast, TimboSugarShow, but admitted he was more “sad than mad” at McGregor’s comments.
“F*** Conor,” O’Malley said in something of a lighthearted tone. “I seen a lot of people being like, ‘Damn, I bet Suga’s sad. Suga always talks nothing but great about Conor and he’s his f****** idol.’ He just went on a little tweet rant, f****** booger sugared up talking s***. ‘I thought you was out for a spar.’ I was more sad than mad.”
O’Malley tested positive twice for Ostarine, but the levels present in his system are believed to be on par with what is consistent with supplement contamination and not intentional abuse of the drug.
With McGregor taking aim at him, O’Malley says he “cannot wait to see Michael Chandler absolutely just sleep him. I’m turning up. I’m changing up real quick, f*** Conor. When your idols turn to rivals.”
O’Malley has always spoken glowingly of McGregor, and it seemed clear he has been patterning his rise a bit after the former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion.
During a trash talk session with current featherweight champion Ilia Topuria, before the latter defeated Alexander Volkanovski, O’Malley posted “Ilias my Eddie” which was an homage to McGregor moving up a weight class to defeat Eddie Alvarez to win the title at 155 pounds in November 2016 at UFC 205.
When you put it all in perspective, it’s easy to see how McGregor’s comments may have hurt O’Malley. With both men established as two of the biggest draws in the UFC, we’ll see if their paths cross and if the hatchet can be buried.
McGregor will headline UFC 303 on International Fight Weekend on June 29 in Las Vegas. Here is a look at the confirmed card for that event.
- Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler
- Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree
- Michelle Waterson-Gomez vs. Gillian Robertson
- Joe Pyfer vs. Marc-Andre Barriault
- Cub Swanson vs. Andre Fili
- Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Macy Chiasson
- Rei Tsuruya vs. Carlos Hernandez
Don’t be surprised to see a world title bout added to this card. McGregor is the sport’s biggest star, but it would be rare for the UFC to have a pay-per-view on IFW that doesn’t put a title on the line.
It’s unclear when O’Malley will return to the Octagon, though he is rumored to be on pace to headline the much-hyped show at the Las Vegas Sphere in September.
