UFC 280: Title-chasing Sean O'Malley seeking 'iconic' knockout of Petr Yan in Abu Dhabi

Sean O’Malley has described the UFC 280 card for Abu Dhabi as “legendary”, setting sights on delivering an “iconic” knockout against Petr Yan to land himself a title shot.

The American, one of the most popular fighters in the sport, was last week added to the October 22 event at Etihad Arena, when he faces former bantamweight champion Yan on an already stacked bill.

The fight night, the UFC’s return to Abu Dhabi for the first time since last October, features two championship bouts: Charles Oliveira against Islam Makhachev for the vacant lightweight crown, and bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling’s title defence against former belt-holder TJ Dillashaw.

UFC 280 will also comprise a top welterweight clash between Belal Muhammad and Sean Brady, and a promising encounter between in-form lightweights Beneil Dariush and Mateusz Gamrot.

O’Malley, who fights outside the United States for the first time, will no doubt prove one of the star attractions in the emirate. He is 15-1 in professional mixed martial arts with one no contest – this month’s bout with Pedro Munhoz at UFC 276 was called off after O'Malley accidentally poked his rival in the eye.

Speaking in London this weekend at the UFC 280 launch press conference, O’Malley said: “I'm very excited to be fighting in Abu Dhabi. I am sure it will be a legendary card and, if I can go out there and put Petr's lights out, it will be iconic.

“Pretty much any card I am on is going to be a huge card. I don't think you can build a card like this without me on it, and I am going to be one of the main attractions on it.

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“The Abu Dhabi crowd can expect a very interesting fight with me and Petr, the two best-striking