O’Malley returns at UFC 299 this weekend.

Sean O’Malley’s admiration of Conor McGregor hasn’t stopped him from touting his chances in a hypothetical fight.

O’Malley returns at UFC 299 this Saturday to defend his UFC bantamweight title in Miami. He’ll face Marlon Vera, who handed him his lone defeat at UFC 252 earlier in their careers.

McGregor’s Octagon return remains uncertain as of this writing, although he’s expected to face Michael Chandler for his comeback fight. The fight likely be at welterweight or lightweight.

McGregor’s rise began in the UFC featherweight division when he defeated Chad Mendes and José Aldo to become the lineal featherweight champion. He went unbeaten during his featherweight tenure and went on to move up to lightweight and welterweight.

O’Malley, who has some of the best pure boxing in the UFC, was recently asked about how a prime 145lb McGregor would match up against him.

Sean O’Malley Talks Hypothetical 145lb Boxing Clash W/ Conor McGregor

During a recent appearance on the PBD Podcast, O’Malley broke down how a featherweight fight with McGregor might’ve played out.

“I don’t necessarily love my odds, but just boxing, speed kills pretty quick,” O’Malley said. “I think I have better skills. I can stand southpaw, orthodox, and have very good defense. Very good offense, both. I think I have the best striking in MMA hands down.

“Conor at his prime when he knocked out José Aldo, me moving up to 145 I would still be a bit lighter, but I’m taller and faster. I think it would be a very competitive fight back in the day when he was 145.”

O’Malley has teased a future move to featherweight if a championship opportunity presents itself. O’Malley’s former rival, Sterling, will make his featherweight debut next month at UFC 300.

O’Malley and McGregor are two of the biggest stars in UFC history, and while a matchup is unlikely to happen, fans can entertain the idea of what could’ve happened if O’Malley joined the UFC during McGregor’s rise.