Sean O’Malley could also be out of the title race in the interim after dropping to present champion Merab Dvalishvili twice in a row however he’s by no means removed from the dialog.
With Dvalishvili defending his title in opposition to Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320 on Oct. 4, O’Malley understandably has a vested curiosity in whoever comes out the winner. On paper, Sandhagen successful would clear the best way for O’Malley to doubtlessly get one other shot at successful UFC gold. Nonetheless, he didn’t himself into that debate when providing his sincere breakdown concerning the upcoming combat.
“I fought Merab twice, beat him as soon as, misplaced to him as soon as. Simply kidding,” O’Malley mentioned on his YouTube channel. “Wrestling versus striker. Cory’s bought actually good wrestling scrambles. He did actually good in opposition to Umar [Nurmagomedov]. He stored his hips excessive, he was capable of scramble very nicely. I wouldn’t say he actually gassed however he positively bought slightly bit drained whereas Merab, he simply doesn’t get drained. He actually simply doesn’t and he’s freakishly sturdy.
“I’m curious to see how these scrambles go. Cory’s nicely versed within the 50-50 [position] and the leg recreation so I’m curious if he’ll trigger scrambles that method. Perhaps threaten some submissions that technique to the place Merab will get uncomfortable and perhaps shoots much less. I’m curious to see how that performs out.”
O’Malley understands this matchup nicely not solely as a result of he’s spent two fights within the octagon going in opposition to Dvalishvili. He additionally sees himself as having an identical physique kind and elegance in comparison with Sandhagen.
After he struggled to maintain Dvalishvili off him with quite a few takedowns earlier than finally getting choked out of their rematch, O’Malley is aware of simply how nicely the reigning bantamweight champion can adapt his type when dealing with a taller, longer striker. That’s a problem Sandhagen has to beat if he has any hope of dethroning Dvalishvili.
“As a striker, Cory and I’ve related types in a way in arduous to take down, good timing and I assumed watching Merab on the display screen, not having him in entrance of you, you assume he appears to be like like of sloppy, he appears to be like such as you’re going to have the ability to stuff his photographs or not even be there when he shoots however that little Georgian finds a method,” O’Malley mentioned.
“It’s arduous for my wrap my head [around], who do I believe’s going to win? I believe it’s a f*cking coin flip. If I needed to guess, if Merab goes on the market and grabs a maintain of him, I believe Cory’s going to be shocked how sturdy that little Georgian feels. But additionally I might be utterly fallacious. Cory may go on the market and hit some stunning scrambles and make Merab look foolish.”
Sadly for O’Malley, he had an identical opinion about how he matched up with Dvalishvili and he was confirmed fallacious two totally different instances. That doesn’t imply O’Malley is simply giving up on doubtlessly fixing that puzzle someday down the highway.
“I actually believed I used to be going to go on the market and make Merab look silly,” O’Malley mentioned. “I’m so delusional that I nonetheless consider I can do this.
“Max Holloway beat Dustin [Poirier] of their third combat. Misplaced the primary two. So by no means say by no means.”
That mentioned, O’Malley actually received’t depend out Sandhagen, particularly provided that he considers the upcoming title challenger a extra gifted martial artist than the champion. Dvalishvili could not have the flashiest résumé in relation to his performances or highlight-reel victories, however he at all times finds a technique to get the job finished.
“When it comes all the way down to general who’s the extra expert fighter, prime to backside, I believe Cory is,” O’Malley mentioned. “However typically that doesn’t matter when you’ve got a man like Merab who will shoot and alter ranges and throw stuff. It appears to be like sloppy. After I was watching movie on him, you take a look at it and it appears to be like sloppy. You’re like OK, I can catch him right here, catch him right here. He shocked me twice. I wasn’t capable of crack him, wasn’t capable of catch him. I do assume he’ll shock Cory slightly bit however I additionally wouldn’t be shocked if Cory surprises Merab on his wrestling protection and his scramble capability and simply combat IQ usually.
“As of proper now, Merab Dvalishvili is the No. 1 bantamweight of all time. It’s thrilling for him to remain energetic like he needed to.”
