Is Sean O'Malley approaching Conor McGregor-level star power after UFC 299? Dana White weighs in

Dana White praises Sean O'Malley after UFC 299, saying his trajectory aligns him to be one of the promotion's biggest stars.

MIAMI – Dana White won’t equate Sean O'Malley’s star power to Conor McGregor’s quite yet, but he considers “Suga” a divisional anomaly to date.

Following UFC 299, White revealed Saturday’s event at Kaseya Center was the fourth-highest gate in promotion history.

“He’s on his way (to being one of the biggest stars ever in the sport),” White told MMA Junkie and other reporters. “Yeah, he’s on his way. He’s the biggest star ever in bantamweight history. We can say that right now.”

O’Malley (18-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) successfully defended his title for the first time Saturday when he dominated Marlon Vera to win a unanimous decision. White was awed by the performance.

“He put on a clinic and I don’t know if anybody can finish ‘Chito’ Vera,” White said. “I mean, that guy has a chin like I’ve never seen. He ate those two knees, big shots all night. Everybody knows the power O’Malley has. He ate all those shots, even the shots to the body, kicks, punches to the body. ‘Chito’ Vera is one of the most durable fighters I’ve ever seen.”

McGregor-headlined pay-per-views are in the No. 1 (UFC 205: $17.7 million), No. 2 (UFC 229: $17.2 million), and No. 3 (UFC 264: $15.7 million) spots on the list of the promotion’s biggest gates.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 299.