Sean O’Malley has officially weighed in on the lightweight division’s best rivalry, calling for the UFC to capitalize on the simmering tension between Paddy Pimblett and Dan Hooker. The former bantamweight champion took to his YouTube channel to advocate for the matchup, arguing that the recent losses suffered by both men actually make the timing perfect for a showdown.
O’Malley’s endorsement comes just days after a chaotic two-week stretch that saw both Pimblett and Hooker fall short in high-profile bouts at UFC 324 and UFC 325, respectively. The animosity between the two fan favorites exploded recently on social media, crossing the line from standard trash talk into deeply personal territory.
The feud ignited when Pimblett, in an attempt to disparage Hooker’s defensive grappling, made a comment that referenced Hooker’s mother. “The Hangman” retaliated with a personal response of his own, bringing up the suicide of one of Pimblett’s close friends. The exchange left the MMA community stunned and set the stage for a rivalry built on genuine hatred rather than promotional manufacturing.
For O’Malley, the “bad blood” narrative combined with their recent setbacks creates an undeniable opportunity for the matchmakers.
Should Paddy Pimblett vs. Dan Hooker be next?
“Dude, that’s the fight you’ve got to make, Dan Hooker vs. Paddy,” O’Malley urged. “It’s a fun fight. It’s a big fight, both coming off a loss. That’s what’s so fcking sweet about the UFC, is we’re talking about two guys that just lost, and we still want to watch them fight.”
The “Suga” show host notedthat in the modern era of the sport, star power and storylines are often topped by winning streaks, noting, “UFC has done such a good job building these characters. Paddy’s done a good job of building himself; Hooker’s done a good job of being himself. It’s like these guys just both fcking lost, and I want to watch them fight.”
The matchmaking logic is sound. Pimblett saw his aspirations for an interim title crushed by Justin Gaethje at UFC 324, where the British star struggled to handle the veteran’s pressure and power. Just one week later, Hooker suffered a similar fate in the co-main event of UFC 325 in Sydney, getting finished by the surging Benoit Saint Denis. With both men looking to rebound and their rankings likely to take a hit, a grudge match offers a path to redemption without jamming up the title picture.
