Sean O’Malley, the former UFC bantamweight champion, is reportedly set to make his Octagon return later this year, potentially facing top-five contender Song Yadong at UFC 323 on December 6. The bout would serve as O’Malley’s first fight since a second-round submission loss to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 316, marking his first career defeat by submission.
2025 has been a challenging year for O’Malley, who made personal and professional adjustments following his loss while attempting to reclaim the bantamweight title. A matchup with Yadong, currently ranked #5 in the division, provides a logical stepping stone for the former champion to reestablish himself among the elite fighters.
Other top-five contenders like Petr Yan, Umar Nurmagomedov, and Cory Sandhagen are either booked or poised for title shots, making Yadong a sensible choice for O’Malley’s comeback. The fight, if confirmed, would headline UFC 323, the final pay-per-view before the promotion begins its new broadcast deal in 2026.
