UFC president Dana White insists Sean O'Malley isn't ready to face the 'killers' in the bantamweight division.
O'Malley is on the brink of mixing it with the elite of the stacked 135lbs division, who could soon be on the horizon if he gets past Raulian Paiva this weekend at UFC 269.
MMA fans are eager to see the self-proclaimed 'undefeated' O'Malley take a step up in competition, although the same can't be said of White.
When pressed on O'Malley's lack of top-rated opponents, he told Barstool Sports: “It has nothing to do with his contract.
"I mean, he’s not ready. You guys wanna throw him to the wolves.
"You don’t move somebody that fast, unless they’re Khamzat Chimaev."
Undefeated welterweight Chimaev was given the previously No.11-ranked Li Jingliang in only his fourth fight in the promotion, which he won with complete ease.
And White firmly believes the Chechen clubber is far better equipped to deal with the 170lb elite than O'Malley is to handle the top bantamweights.
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He continued: "Khamzat is a guy you feel comfortable moving that fast.
"I mean, O’Malley just lost a couple fights ago.
"Talking about bigger fights and all that s***, this is a tough fight for him on Saturday night.
“In his last fight he looked incredible, he put on a clinic."
White believes O'Malley's popularity is partly to blame for the constant questioning of his opponents.
He continued: "I think because O’Malley’s so popular and whatever, you’re always gonna have the critics that give this kid s***.
"He’s a tough kid, he’s fun, he’s exciting to watch, but he’s making his way, you know, the way you’re supposed to.
"You don’t just turn O’Malley around and throw him against killers.
"That’s not how it works.”
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