Betting tips from AI for Sean O'Malley vs Petr Yan, 31 December 2025.

Petr Yan has the momentum and the gameplan to control this rematch. He just reclaimed the bantamweight belt with a measured unanimous decision over Merab Dvalishvili and comes in on a four-fight streak, even stoking the rivalry with an on‑site White House callout that adds psychological edge.
Sean O'Malley can tout the controversial UFC 280 split win and the 84–58 striking edge Joe Rogan highlighted, but his back‑to‑back loss trouble and Yan's superior wrestling/control tilt make the stylistic matchup favor Yan. At the books Yan sits as the favorite 1.30 while O'Malley is 3.45. I expect Yan to impose pace and win a decision or late finish.

The bantamweight division is buzzing, and the highly anticipated rematch between Petr Yan and Sean O'Malley promises fireworks. Yan enters this bout as a significant favorite at 1.30, and for good reason. Fresh off reclaiming the bantamweight strap with a dominant unanimous decision over Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323, "No Mercy" is riding a wave of momentum and a scorching four-fight win streak. His callout for O'Malley on the White House lawn shows his hunger for revenge.

Their first encounter at UFC 280 ended in a controversial split-decision win for O'Malley, a result many fans still dispute, despite O'Malley landing more strikes. Even Joe Rogan's breakdown, while favoring O'Malley's damage, highlighted the narrow margins. However, Yan's current form is undeniable, reflecting a fighter at the peak of his powers, especially compared to O'Malley, who may be coming off rare back-to-back losses to Dvalishvili. The bookmakers have spoken, with O'Malley at 3.45, and Yan's current trajectory makes him the clear pick to settle the score decisively.

This rematch has been brewing since their controversial 2022 bout, where O'Malley secured a split decision many viewed as questionable. Now with Yan reclaiming the bantamweight title against Dvalishvili, he's rightfully installed as a 1.30 favorite. While O'Malley's striking statistics (84-58) from their first meeting seem impressive on paper, Yan's overall game has evolved significantly during his four-fight win streak.

The betting value clearly lies with Yan, whose grappling control and championship experience give him a substantial edge. O'Malley at 3.45 might tempt action bettors, but Yan's recent performances show a fighter at the peak of his powers. The Russian's calculated pressure and adaptability should neutralize O'Malley's range striking more effectively in this rematch.

Despite Joe Rogan's round-by-round defense of the previous decision, Yan's improvements and championship momentum make him the smart money play here.

In the bantamweight showdown of the year, Petr Yan enters as the heavy favorite at 1.30, riding a scorching four-fight win streak capped by his unanimous decision reclaim over Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323. That victory not only reclaimed the strap but fired up fans with Yan's bold Instagram callout for a White House rematch against Sean O'Malley, setting the stage for UFC's epic 2026 event. O'Malley, the former champ, is hungry to settle their unfinished business after his controversial split-decision win at UFC 280 in 2022, where he outstruck Yan 84-58 despite the Russian's control time. Joe Rogan backed O'Malley's edge on his podcast, highlighting superior damage in two rounds. But O'Malley's recent back-to-back losses to Dvalishvili expose vulnerabilities in his stand-up game against elite wrestlers like Yan.

Yan, a technical beast with knockout power and grappling prowess, looks primed for revenge. His precision striking and endurance should neutralize O'Malley's reach advantage, especially after O'Malley's layoff. At 3.45 for O'Malley, the underdog value tempts, but Yan's momentum and the draw at 33.00 being a longshot make the favorite the smart play for profitability. Expect Yan to grind out another decision, reclaiming dominance in this heated rivalry.

Betting $1 on Yan at 1.30 nets a solid return while minimizing risk—perfect for building the bankroll in a fight Yan's built to win.

The hype for this rematch is real, with Petr Yan calling out Sean O'Malley after reclaiming the bantamweight strap at UFC 323. O'Malley is eager to prove his controversial split-decision win at UFC 280 was no fluke, despite stats showing he outstruck Yan 84-58 and Joe Rogan backing his victory.

Yan's scorching four-fight win streak and improved form contrast sharply with O'Malley's rare back-to-back losses. The betting lines cement Yan as a heavy 1.30 favorite over O'Malley at 3.45, reflecting his dominance and control time advantage.

In a clash of styles, Yan's relentless pressure and grappling should neutralize O'Malley's flashy striking, leading to a decisive victory for the reigning champion.

The UFC's bantamweight landscape is buzzing with anticipation as Sean O'Malley and Petr Yan prepare for a high-stakes rematch. O'Malley enters this contest off back-to-back losses, raising concerns about his consistency against elite opponents. Meanwhile, Yan rides a four-fight win streak, including a dominant title-clinching performance over Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323. Despite the betting odds favoring Yan heavily at 1.30, there’s value to be found in O'Malley at 3.45.

O'Malley’s striking volume was key in their first encounter, where he outlanded Yan 84-58 according to official stats. Joe Rogan’s breakdown highlighted that while Yan controlled positioning, O’Malley inflicted more damage across two rounds. If O’Malley can replicate his aggressive output without getting bogged down in grappling exchanges, he has a real chance to upset the champion again. The controversial split decision from UFC 280 also suggests judges may lean toward rewarding visible impact over control time.

That said, Yan’s evolution since their last fight cannot be ignored. He appears sharper defensively and more calculated in his approach, minimizing risks that could cost him rounds. Still, the betting line seems overly skewed toward Yan given O’Malley’s proven ability to challenge him. At 3.45, O’Malley offers significant upside if he can capitalize on his striking prowess once more.