Since the early days of his UFC career, Sean O’Malley has always been a captivating figure, known for his unique persona and flashy fighting style.
While the past year or two haven’t gone his way, O’Malley seems back to his best in 2026. In January, he picked up a win over Song Yadong, and at the White House, he finished Aiemann Zahabi.
It was the 31-year-old’s first finish since August 2023, when he first captured bantamweight gold at the expense of Aljamain Sterling. O’Malley seemed rejuvenated, and it wasn’t only the fan base that was in awe of the performance. President Donald Trump took time to chat with him after his electrifying salute TKO.
Sean O’Malley’s Impressive White House Showing
Amber Searls via Imagn Images
As fans have become accustomed to, O’Malley built on a strong first round. He’s a momentum fighter and someone who shows great patience when in the Octagon.
He was timing his shots perfectly all night, and eventually it led to the finish. Towards the end of the second round, Zahabi was applying plenty of pressure, but the chaos only played into O’Malley’s hands.
The American continued to pick his shots before putting Zahabi down with a strong left hand. Another one-two came soon after, which dropped the Canadian once again, leaving Jason Herzog only one decision: stop the fight.
What Sean O’Malley Said to Donald Trump
In the aftermath of the win, O’Malley said a few words to President Donald Trump, who was, of course, sat just metres away from the Octagon.
“I said, ‘Happy birthday. I knocked out a Canadian for you’.”
What Next For Sean O’Malley
After Petr Yan defeated Merab Dvalishvili back in December, O’Malley’s situation became even more intriguing. He now has a win over the current champion, which could build towards a highly anticipated rematch.
The first one in Abu Dhabi was an incredibly close fight, and ultimately changed O’Malley’s trajectory. Just a year prior, he was fighting Kris Moutinho and wasn’t in the top 10 of the rankings. Fast-forward a year, and he has beaten the former champion in a razor-thin decision. Perhaps, Yan will be looking to avenge that defeat and further cement his status as king of the bantamweights.
Outside of this, there is also Corey Sandhagen. Despite being in and around the top of the division for a while, the two are yet to meet in the Octagon. It was an idea floating around prior to the Zahabi announcement and would make for a fan-friendly match-up. Sandhagen fights Mario Bautista at UFC 329. Once that is done, maybe their timelines can finally cross over.
Arsenal have placed an official bid to sign wonderkid Jeremy Monga from Leicester City, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
The Gunners have been linked with a move for the 16-year-old for some time now, with reports of an offer emerging as early as last month.
Monga, who has been compared to Ousmane Dembele and described as a ‘deadly’ finisher, is expected to leave the Foxes this summer following their relegation to League One, despite having broken into the first-team as a 15-year-old.
And Arsenal have shown the keenest interest in him, with talks progressing over the last few weeks between the Gunners and his representatives over a move to the Emirates Stadium.
Now, according to Romano, Arsenal have lodged an official bid to sign the 16-year-old winger. He tweeted: “Arsenal sent official bid to Leicester City to get Jeremy Monga deal done. 16-year-old winger keen on joining #AFC and deal moving quickly now with optimism to sign #LCFC talent, seen as huge prospect for the future.”
Newcastle were hoping to land the young talent, but while they were trying to lower his fee, the Reds stormed in to agree to his £34.6million release clause, and the deal is as good as done. When Muñoz will agree personal terms remains to be seen, given he is busy at the World Cup with Spain, but Liverpool will be confident of striking a deal, especially with a Spanish boss now in place.
Liverpool are not done there
Ken Blaze (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)
It was unclear how bold Liverpool would be in this transfer window, given their huge spend and lack of return last summer, but the questions are now being answered. The Reds are already closing in on an exciting young talent in Muñoz, and that is only going to be the start of their business, according to a fresh report.
Football Insider claim Muñoz will be the first of five new signings this summer, with a central midfielder, centre-back, right-back and right-winger all required by Iraola.
The right-winger and centre-back signings will come as no surprise, given the exits of Ibrahima Konate and Mohamed Salah this summer. Meanwhile, many have called for more options in the middle of the park, while Conor Bradley battling his way back from a serious injury issue looks to be forcing the Reds to add more depth at right-back.
Muñoz can play on the right-wing, and he is a right-footer, but he has traditionally played on the left, liking to cut inside.
Shearer’s Reds warning
Speaking to Betfair last week, Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer warned that Liverpool need to recruit heavily in this summer’s transfer window. “Liverpool are going to have to go again in the transfer market,” he said. “Mohamed Salah’s gone, so they obviously need someone to replace him.
“They’ve also got Rio Ngumoha, who’s obviously a great talent, but for the future.So Liverpool need several players, I think, if they want to compete again at the very top. And certainly, in wide positions, they’re going to have to strengthen.
“I’m not surprised with who they’re being linked with, like Diomande and Barcola. I guess it’s only a matter of time before that, that would be the position that they announce.”
Tottenham are still said to be firmly in the race for one of the most in-demand Premier League players this summer. Spurs have already made a solid start to their summer business, with Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson snapped up, and attention is now firmly on continuing to strengthen with further signings.
Spurs and Roberto De Zerbi are hoping to compete for European football next season, and while there is existing talent in the squad, it’s no easy task to go from back-to-back bottom half finishes to a top seven finish. Heavy recruitment is going to be required, and it looks as though that is what the Tottenham board intend to deliver.
Spurs still in Wharton race
via Reuters
One of the most intriguing Premier League transfer narratives this summer is where Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton is going to end up. The midfielder is expected to be on the move for big money having consistently impressed with the Eagles, and we are beginning to get a clearer picture of where he could end up.
According to FlashScore, both Tottenham and Liverpool remain firmly interested in Wharton this summer. In fact, it’s claimed Spurs view Wharton as one of their primary targets this summer. That’s despite ongoing talks over the potential permanent transfer of Joao Palhinha.
The North London club lose Yves Bissouma this summer, so it’s logical they will try to sign another midfielder or two, and there are also links with Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali, who would likely be a Wharton alternative. Spurs are said to have been tracking Wharton for at least a year, remaining patient in timing their move.
Liverpool are also said to be keen, though, and they are said to view Wharton and AFC Bournemouth’s Alex Scott as their main targets for the midfield, although it will be one or the other. The Reds seek a midfielder capable of controlling the midfield.
‘Exceptional’ Wharton’s price and attraction
Wharton is likely to cost a huge fee this summer, with £100million floated as a reported Palace asking price. Though Premier League clubs might be confident of reducing that fee to around £80million despite the midfielder having three years remaining on his current deal.
Eberechi Eze joined Arsenal for £67.5million in a club-record sale for Palace, and so £80million would be a fresh record, and Wharton could push for an exit if the right club comes in this summer, which would weaken Palace’s leverage at the negotiations table.
But Wharton is always going to command a giant fee given his Premier League experience and his proven ability to thrive in huge games for club and country, while he is still only 22 years of age. Micah Richards dubbed Wharton ‘exceptional’ last year, and most connected to Palace and the Premier League would agree.
