Sean O’Malley is keeping a close eye on the upcoming UFC bantamweight title fight at UFC 320.
UFC President Dana White confirmed earlier this week that reigning champion Merab Dvalishvili (20-4 MMA, 13-2 UFC)—who has defeated O’Malley in their last two encounters—is set to defend his title against Cory Sandhagen (18-5 MMA, 11-4 UFC) in the co-main event of the blockbuster card on October 4.
While O’Malley is unlikely to get another shot at Dvalishvili if “The Machine” successfully defends his belt for a third time, his name could re-enter the title conversation should Sandhagen dethrone the Georgian at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
“Wrestling versus striker…Cory’s got really good wrestling scrambles,” O’Malley said while previewing the fight in a video posted to his YouTube channel this week. “He did really good against Umar (Nurmagomedov). He kept his hips high, he was able to scramble very well. I wouldn’t say he really gassed but he definitely got a little bit tired whereas Merab, he just doesn’t get tired. He really just doesn’t and he’s freakishly strong.
“I’m curious to see how those scrambles go. Cory’s well versed in the 50-50 (position) and the leg game so I’m curious if he will cause scrambles that way. Maybe threaten some submissions that way to where Merab gets uncomfortable and maybe shoots less. I am curious to see how that plays out.”
O’Malley lost on the scorecards to Dvalishvili at UFC 306 in September of last year at the Sphere in Las Vegas, with the Georgian’s wrestling playing a pivotal role in the outcome.
When the two met again at UFC 316 earlier this year, “Suga” initially defended Dvalishvili’s takedown attempts but eventually faded and was submitted in the third round.
With Sandhagen standing at 5'11"—the same height as O’Malley—the former champion sees similarities in their fighting styles.
“As a striker, Cory and I have similar styles in a sense in hard to take down, good timing and I thought watching Merab on the screen, not having him in front of you, you think he looks like of sloppy, he looks like you’re going to be able to stuff his shots or not even be there when he shoots but that little Georgian finds a way,” O’Malley said.
“It’s hard for (me to) wrap my head (around), who do I think’s going to win? I think it’s a f*cking coin flip. If I had to guess, if Merab goes out there and grabs a hold of him, I think Cory’s going to be surprised how strong that little Georgian feels. But also I could be completely wrong. Cory could go out there and hit some beautiful scrambles and make Merab look silly.”
While O’Malley’s chances of getting another shot at Dvalishvili are slim, the 30-year-old isn’t giving up hope of a trilogy bout in the future. He pointed to Max Holloway’s BMF title victory over Dustin Poirier at UFC 318 last weekend as proof that not all hope is lost.
“I truly believed I was going to go out there and make Merab look stupid,” O’Malley said. “I’m so delusional that I still believe I can do that.
“Max Holloway beat Dustin (Poirier) in their third fight. Lost the first two. So never say never.”
