Cory Sandhagen had a vested curiosity within the rematch between Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley at UFC 316 as a result of he all the time anticipated to face the winner in a title battle later this 12 months.
Dvalishvili vanquished O’Malley for a second time, however he was much more dominant after controlling the motion by the primary two rounds earlier than sinking in a fight-ending choke within the third spherical. It was an understandably powerful loss for O’Malley, who rocketed to stardom as probably the most magnetic attracts within the UFC, however now finds himself caught in no man’s land on the subject of the bantamweight title after struggling two losses to the present champion.
Previous to the battle, O’Malley revealed he made wholesale life-style adjustments to raised put together himself for the rematch towards Dvalisvhili, however the end result was the identical and Sandhagen sympathizes with him in that regard.
“I form of really feel for Sean,” Sandhagen informed MMA Combating. “Sean’s a type of guys that form of thinks about life by way of a journey and all of that stuff and I can relate to that huge time. So I do know the sensation of adjusting a number of stuff about your life in hopes that it’ll translate over into combating after which additionally hope that you simply’ll get a superb end result from it. It sucks that life doesn’t all the time work like that. So I form of really feel for him somewhat bit.”
When it got here to the battle itself, Sandhagen admits O’Malley undoubtedly didn’t have a superb night time on the workplace as a result of exterior of shutting down a number of of Dvalishvili’s takedowns, he by no means produced a lot offense of his personal.
Catastrophe struck within the third spherical when O’Malley was caught in a grappling scramble on the bottom earlier than Dvalishvili latched onto the choke that put him away. Dvalishvili’s dominance impressed Sandhagen whereas additionally including much more motivation to go on the market and beat him after they lastly meet within the octagon.
“The battle itself, Sean regarded somewhat bit off, much more off than the final time,” Sandhagen stated. “I don’t actually know what that’s about. I imply Merab regarded tremendous on. I believe Merab’s constructing some actually good momentum.
“I believe that he’s getting extra assured in every battle and I’m actually excited to face that problem. I believe that I’m the man to beat him. I simply can’t wait to truly be a f*cking world champion lastly.”
Proper now, Sandhagen’s solely focus is getting a date and placement for his battle towards Dvalishvili as he seeks to lastly reside out his dream and compete for a UFC title. But it surely’s not misplaced on Sandhagen that there was loads of enthusiasm for a possible battle between him and O’Malley given their types and the best way they match up collectively.
Sandhagen beating Dvalishvili to turn out to be champion would additionally inject new life into O’Malley’s profession as a result of that may open the door for him to get again into title competition. However does O’Malley have what it takes to appropriate previous errors and climb again up the ranks?
“I believe he does,” Sandhagen answered. “O’Malley form of will get labeled as a star first earlier than he will get labeled as a superb fighter. I believe O’Malley’s a extremely, actually good fighter. He’s a brilliant athletic man, additionally, so whenever you’re that athletic, you’re able to making a number of adjustments in your sport and stuff.
“If you happen to don’t choose issues up in a short time, it may be onerous to vary. However Sean undoubtedly has that capacity, simply him being a extremely good athlete so I believe he undoubtedly can.”
Whereas O’Malley spoke so much about giving up marijuana, quitting social media and not taking part in video video games as a method for him to give attention to the Dvalishvili rematch, Sandhagen believes the true adjustments he must make come all the way down to his coaching and preparation.
At his finest, O’Malley was a sniper with devastating knockout energy, however his two fights with Dvalishvili uncovered holes in his sport. Sandhagen expects O’Malley to deal with these points after which maybe they’ll cross paths someday sooner or later as champion and challenger.
“I believe he simply has to vary a number of issues, not like in his private life however in his technical combating type of stuff after which simply be capable of grapple with these guys which might be actually good grapplers,” Sandhagen stated.
“He obtained away for a very long time simply having the ability to one-shot, knock folks out. Now he’s dealing with some for actual well-rounded, actually good fighters and also you simply can’t be a one-trick pony anymore.”
A matchup towards O’Malley is likely to be in his future, however Sandhagen is just involved with one factor proper now and that’s the title battle with Dvalishvili. He hasn’t acquired an official provide from the UFC simply but, however after talking with Dvalishvili backstage following his newest win, Sandhagen is assured they’ll conflict within the close to future.
“I do know Merab was saying someday in November or December,” Sandhagen stated. “That works for me, too. This stuff take somewhat little bit of time or no matter however I’m fairly assured. I be ok with it and I’m tremendous excited to lastly get my title shot.”
