Brendan Schaub Issues Alternative Theory To Claims Of Sean O'Malley Getting 'Dana White Privilege'

Ever since Tony Ferguson coined the phrase "Dana White privilege," the saying has been used as a criticism for certain fighters.  One of the UFC's biggest stars has been labeled with this tag more than most due to his run to the bantamweight title. 

At UFC 292, Sean O'Malley silenced critics with his second-round stoppage over previously long-reigning champion Aljamain Sterling.  Whilst his performance received a lot of praise, the opponents that "Sugar" faced on his way to the belt will always be questioned by some and looked at as favoritism on behalf of the UFC.

Brendan Schaub addressed this during a recent episode of The Schaub Show, stating that the relationship between O'Malley, the UFC, and the opponents he faces is nothing new in sport. 

"People say, you know, 'Sugar's gotten Dana White privilege or UFC privilege.' This happens in every sport, it's not a 'Sugar' thing. It shouldn't be called 'Dana White privilege,' it should just be called the star privilege. It happens in all sports, so with 'Sugar,' it's not that he had an easy run. In the UFC especially, it's very black and white when it comes to MMA. Dana can only control so much. You have to perform."

Schaub Points To Yan Fight As Evidence 'Dana White Privilege' Only Goes So Far

In the lead-up to the biggest fight of O'Malley's career, his lack of wins over top competition was brought up regularly.  Sterling himself questioned the legitimacy of O'Malley's 135-pound run due to the Montana native holding just one win over a fighter that is currently still on the UFC roster. 

That victory came against former bantamweight champion Petr Yan at UFC 280, where O'Malley was awarded a controversial split decision win.

Though the outcome added even more heat onto the questions surrounding O'Malley, Schaub said that this fight is the perfect example of why "star privilege" is a factor in all sports, but not the most significant.

"They can't make you win fights, you know, especially if you're starching people like he's done. With the Petr Yan fight, that's a tough fight for 'Sugar.' 'Sugar' doesn't win that and we're not even having this conversation, so they can only, quote, unquote, as they say online, 'protect' him so much until he has to do the work."