After suffering a unanimous decision loss to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306, former bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley has announced that he will be undergoing hip surgery in October, putting him on an extended hiatus from the octagon. In a recent podcast, O'Malley disclosed that he will most likely be out of competition for approximately nine to twelve months.

Recognizing the impact of his absence, O'Malley acknowledged that fans would have to do without the "Suga Show" for a while. Speaking to streamer Adin Ross, he confirmed that the upcoming surgery is the reason behind his upcoming break from fighting. It was reported that O'Malley's torn labrum in the hip affected his performance during his bout with Dvalishvili.

Despite his extended time away from the sport, O'Malley is said to be in line for a bantamweight title fight upon his return. However, it is important to note that the belt will not be in the possession of current champion Merab Dvalishvili, according to insiders.

Ali Abdelaziz, manager for Umar Nurmagomedov, stated that once his client secures the title, he intends to offer O'Malley the opportunity for a championship fight. Abdelaziz believes that O'Malley, despite coming off a loss, deserves a title shot due to his popularity and financial impact on the division. He emphasized that O'Malley's star power contributes to the financial success of the bantamweight division.

Abdelaziz also expressed confidence in Nurmagomedov's potential to become as big of a star as O'Malley. He noted that with Nurmagomedov's undefeated record and the support of the massive fanbase behind him, the young fighter could potentially reach the level of his cousin, Khabib Nurmagomedov, who enjoyed immense popularity throughout his career.

As for the immediate future of the bantamweight division, the UFC has a few options for the next contender, including Deiveson Figueiredo and Petr Yan. However, Abdelaziz argues that O'Malley's hype and previous contributions to the division make him the rightful candidate for the next title shot.

While there may be debates about who is deserving, Abdelaziz emphasized that the focus should be on creating hype, generating business, and making money for the organization. He believes that a matchup between Nurmagomedov and O'Malley would capture the attention and interest of fans, and therefore should be prioritized.

As O'Malley prepares for his upcoming surgery and subsequent recovery period, fans will have to wait patiently to witness the return of the "Suga Show" to the UFC. The anticipation for his comeback, along with the possibility of a high-stakes title fight, adds an extra layer of excitement to the bantamweight division.