LAS VEGAS – Ricky Simon is sticking to his weapons forward of UFC Struggle Evening 234, one among them being his pokes at now-champion Sean O’Malley.
Since Simon (20-4 MMA, 8-3 UFC) most not too long ago fought, O’Malley (17-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) obtained the UFC bantamweight title. Regardless of O’Malley’s seat atop the division’s proverbial throne, Simon stays largely unimpressed – and sarcastically impressed.
“Inspirational – if Sean O’Malley can develop into a world champ, actually something on this world is feasible,” Simon informed MMA Junkie and different reporters at a pre-fight information convention Wednesday. “I’ll say, I broke. I purchased the Sean O’Malley Timex. I believe he had a collab with them. I used to be at Worldwide Struggle Week they usually supplied it to me. I’m like, ‘I’ll take that. That’s a cool one. That’s a cool one.’ So let’s go, Sean.”
O’Malley has lengthy been on Simon’s radar, although a matchup between the 2 has by no means aligned. With Simon coming off a loss to Yadong Track and O’Malley welcoming subsequent challenger Marlon Vera at UFC 299 in April, it’ll probably be some time earlier than the 2 cross paths – if ever.
Within the quick, Simon will assist Vera, a former coaching associate and pal.
“I’m so assured in ‘Chito.’ I used to coach with him again within the day,” Simon stated. “I do know what he brings and in case you watch that first struggle, it’s a foul matchup for Sean. I’m assured that ‘Chito’ goes to be a world champ. I’m very excited for him.”
As for his personal profession, Simon seems to be to get again on monitor towards Mario Bautista. Whether or not followers consider in him or doubt him, Simon expects the end result Saturday on the UFC Apex to be the identical.
“I’m not new to this sport,” Simon stated. “I don’t faucet in like that. I’m not someone who has a loopy presence on social media the place I’m like, ‘What are they saying about me?’ I don’t give a f*ck what the followers are saying. Go forward and sit again and watch. When you may do what I do, you’d be in there doing it. So go forward and watch and benefit from the struggle. I’m going to go in there and do what I all the time do: benefit from the present.”
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC Struggle Evening 234.
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