Sean O'Malley has been criticized lately as many feel he's focused more on money than fighting. He turned down an opportunity in New York against Frankie Edgar and that's where the narrative grew.

O'Malley has since cleared the air on why he turned down the opportunity to compete in the Big Apple. His coach is hosting a jiu-jitsu tournament that same weekend so he won't be able to be in O'Malley's corner.

If that wasn't enough, New York has a high tax rate, which made the decision easy for ‘Suga.' He still wants a fight with Frankie Edgar on December 11 though.

“I feel like I’m the main draw at 135, I’m the biggest name at 135,” O’Malley said on The MMA Hour (transcription by MMAFighting). “So there’s a lot of sweet, sweet, interesting fights at 135 that I would love to be a part of. Obviously, I want to get paid fairly, but yeah, I think I’m not too far off from fighting for the title, main-eventing pay-per-views. … It depends. I really want to fight these three fights out and then start talking big names.

“I don’t think I should be main-eventing for the money I’m making right now. I think I should be getting paid more, so we’ll see.”

Sean O'Malley makes a valid point and many fighters have gone on a road similar to his. Fighting out their cheaper contract before competing against big names for more money on a new contract.

“It depends [on] how you look at it, but yeah, I think if I’m going to make the money I’m making right now, why go out there and fight the toughest guys in the world? Why not fight these three fights fighting [against] not-the-toughest-guys in the world, renegotiate my contract, and then make real money fighting real tough guys? Kris Moutinho was a tough guy. Eddie Wineland was a tough guy. Thomas Almeida was a tough guy. I don’t know. To me, it’s just like I love fighting and it’s a business. I’m trying to make the right decisions.”