Sean O’Malley has become a monumental figure within the UFC in the wake of his victory over Petr Yan at UFC 280, less than two months ago. The victory propelled him to the standing of a championship contender. And along with the fame, came the attention. When O’Malley speaks now, people pay heed to the knowledge he shares. The UFC bantamweight had some intriguing things to say about the contentious figure Chechen dictator, Ramzan Kadyrov.
Kadyrov has made himself a prominent name within the MMA community. From sending warning messages to Dana White, to overseeing multiple fighters in the UFC, Kadyrov has a footprint in the combat sports world unlike anyone else.
On an episode of his show, ‘TimboSugarShow’, O’Malley explained his dislike of the Russian warlord and explained how he rejected an offer from the dictator to be his guest.
Sean O’Malley talks Ramzan Kadyrov!
For the uninitiated, Ramzan Kadyrov is a Chechen dictator who is notoriously known for violating numerous human rights laws, his acts of war, and most importantly, his ongoing Tyranny. The 46-year-old at long last now has renowned world martial artists in the palm of his hand as well.
Henry Cejudo, Kamaru Usman, and Justin Gaethje were all prepared to visit Chechnya at the request of the dictator. Given the fact that Ali Abdelaziz is their manager, it goes without saying that the trio would’ve established contact with Kadyrov’s camp through Abdelaziz’s influence.
The ‘Suga Show’ was invited to grace the Russians with his presence as well but ultimately declined the offer. Speaking about how he was asked to go to Chechnya for Kadyrov’s son’s birthday party, O’Malley had the following to state:
“The reason we never really ended up going [to Chechnya] is because we were saying like, who is this for? And then we didn’t really get an answer. So, I’m like, ‘F*** that!’ Imran [Jawaid, one of O’Malley’s business advisors], you know, I listen to Imran’s advice and Imran was like, ‘Hey, I don’t have a good feeling about this. Let’s not move forward with that.’
O’Malley continued:
“They went over to Chechnya. And the guy is a murderer, basically. The top dog. Like, best friends with [Vladimir] Putin. He’s not a good person, and that’s why they went there, to his kid’s birthday party. And, that’s where I got invited to go. And, yeah, I’ve heard that they’re getting some backlash for going.”
An appropriate decision by the 28-year-old, given that Kadyrov is one of the most deceitful individuals to exist currently. His ideology and principles are representative of the backward way in which he perceives the world.
This is why it’s a surprise to the vast majority when they learn that he has stalwart patronage in the form of professional martial artists. Reputed names like Khamzat Chimaev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Mohammed Ankalaev are the most transparent examples.
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Ramzan Kadyrov’s influence!
The fact that distinguished world champions like Khabib Nurmagomedov, Henry Cejudo, Kamaru Usman, and Justin Gatheje are affiliating themselves with Kadyrov is devastating to the sport. Not to forget Khamzat Chimaev and Magomed Ankalaev.
Because, for all their impeccable work inside the octagon, their association with the dictator is representative of their beliefs by extension as well. Whether they know it or not, these gentlemen are a beacon of light to many. They are considered role models.
Kadyrov on the other hand has sanctions filed against him by the US for violating human rights. In fact, he has also been accused of torture, assassinations, harming the LGBTQ community, and so on and so forth.
When it’s all said and done, the hope remains that Kadyrov will be apprehended. For now, it seems as though his reign of terror will continue.
