After getting dominated and completed by UFC bantamweight champ Merab Dvalishvili of their rematch at UFC 316, Sean O’Malley volunteered his providers for a brilliant quick turnaround.
O’Malley has misplaced back-to-back fights to Dvalishvili, however just lately stated in an interview that after he was informed a slated co-main occasion for UFC 318 fell off, he wished to face one other top-ranked 135-pounder on the July pay-per-view card.
“I used to be really making an attempt to struggle Cory [Sandhagen] when the co-main occasion fell out for that Max and Dustin struggle [card],” O’Malley stated on the Overdogs Podcast. “I threw my identify out to the UFC. Three weeks, me vs. Cory could be candy.”
UFC 318 served because the retirement sendoff for Dustin Poirier as he confronted Max Holloway in his closing bout, shedding a choice. Whereas the cardboard may definitely have used a lift when it comes to star energy, the occasion was primarily about Poirier and his profession.
On high of that, Sandhagen is now set to problem Dvalishvili for the title in October at UFC 320.
“It didn’t make sense for the UFC,” O’Malley stated. “Cory vs. Merab is the struggle was the following struggle to make.
“However, yeah. Me vs. Cory is a really attention-grabbing struggle. That’s one which’s certain to occur earlier than later.”
O’Malley has spent practically 40 minutes within the octagon with Dvalishvili and is aware of what “The Machine” brings to the desk. Being a pupil of the sport, he understands how good Sandhagen is throughout the board.
When requested how he sees the title struggle going, “Sugar” gave his take.
“Me and Cory have very comparable types,” O’Malley stated. “Cory did do job towards Umar creating scrambles, retaining his hips excessive when Umar tried to get to his again. Umar and Merab have totally different grappling strengths and methods.
“However, man, I believe if Merab can come up with Cory, I simply don’t see… Merab felt simply so sturdy, and simply actually sturdy in sure positions. His fuel tank is ridiculous. I don’t know. If I needed to guess, Merab [wins], nevertheless it’s laborious for me to rely Cory out as a result of I do suppose Cory, ability for ability, is among the finest guys within the UFC.”
