Sean O’Malley has his subsequent project with an anticipated battle in opposition to Merab Dvalishvili, however a brand new No. 1 contender at bantamweight may probably be topped in August.
When UFC returns to Abu Dhabi, one-time interim title challenger Cory Sandhagen continues his pursuit of undisputed gold when he faces undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov within the five-round principal occasion. The winner is anticipated to get the subsequent shot on the title, UFC CEO Dana White introduced after the battle was revealed for August 3.
In fact, that’s assuming the battle truly takes place, as a result of O’Malley has his doubts.
“I’ll tune in … if it occurs,” O’Malley not too long ago instructed MMA Preventing. “We all know Umar likes to drag out if one thing occurs. I’ll be stunned if the battle occurs.”
Since arriving in UFC, Nurmagomedov has gained 5 straight fights but additionally been pressured to drop out of 4 scheduled bouts as a consequence of numerous circumstances, together with sickness and harm.
The inconsistent sample of appearances has O’Malley satisfied that Nurmagomedov might not even make it to the battle in August, particularly after the Russian already missed out on a beforehand scheduled battle in opposition to Sandhagen a 12 months in the past.
Assuming catastrophe doesn’t strike, O’Malley truly favors Sandhagen to beat Nurmagomedov, which may put O’Malley on a collision course with the perennial bantamweight contender from Colorado.
“I’m stunned Cory is such a large underdog,” O’Malley mentioned. “I feel Cory’s one of the vital expert guys in the complete UFC. I wouldn’t be stunned if Cory beat him in any respect.
“Yeah [I’m picking Sandhagen]. I feel Umar is pretty much as good as everybody thinks he’s. I simply suppose Cory is healthier.”
Sandhagen, greatest often known as a dynamic striker, may current an fascinating problem to O’Malley, because the champ prides himself on having among the nastiest knockout energy in the complete division.
Whereas he nonetheless has a wait-and-see strategy about that battle, O’Malley would relish the problem if Sandhagen will get by way of Nurmagomedov.
“I agree [that would be a good fight],” O’Malley mentioned.
The truth that O’Malley has Dvalisvhili on his thoughts after which probably both Sandhagen or Nurmagomedov is a far cry from the battle he wanted dispatching Marlon Vera in March.
Instantly after notching his first title protection at UFC 299, O’Malley turned his consideration to UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria as a dream opponent, calling for the chance to probably declare a title in a second division.
The thought was totally criticized, particularly with Dvalisvhili nonetheless ready within the wings after constructing a 10-fight unbeaten streak within the bantamweight division.
So somewhat than pursue Topuria and one other belt, O’Malley fortunately shifted his focus again to Dvalisvhili as an alternative. The identical goes for the longer term. O’Malley nonetheless hopes for “champ-champ” standing sooner or later, but when the followers need to see him stick round at bantamweight to defend his belt, then that’s precisely what he’s going to do.
“I’m right here for the individuals,” O’Malley mentioned. “I assumed me transferring as much as battle Ilia would get individuals excited. Ilia’s, in my view, far more harmful than Merab. So I used to be pumped when individuals have been like, ‘No, battle Merab, we don’t need to see you battle Ilia.’ I’m like, ‘Hell yeah, wager. I’ll battle Merab.’
“I’m right here for the individuals. In the event that they need to see me as double champ, let’s do it. In the event that they need to see me defend, let’s do it. I’m right here for the individuals.”
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