Sean O’Malley could also be out of the title race in the intervening time 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 way in which for O’Malley to probably get one other shot at successful UFC gold. Nevertheless, he didn’t himself into that debate when providing his sincere breakdown concerning the upcoming battle.
“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 obtained actually good wrestling scrambles. He did actually good in opposition to Umar [Nurmagomedov]. He stored his hips excessive, he was in a position to scramble very effectively. I wouldn’t say he actually gassed however he undoubtedly obtained just a little 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 effectively versed within the 50-50 [position] and the leg recreation so I’m curious if he’ll trigger scrambles that means. 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 effectively 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 magnificence in comparison with Sandhagen.
After he struggled to maintain Dvalishvili off him with quite a few takedowns earlier than ultimately getting choked out of their rematch, O’Malley is aware of simply how effectively 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 comparable types in a way in laborious to take down, good timing and I assumed watching Merab on the display, not having him in entrance of you, you suppose he seems like of sloppy, he seems such as you’re going to have the ability to stuff his pictures or not even be there when he shoots however that little Georgian finds a means,” O’Malley mentioned.
“It’s laborious for my wrap my head [around], who do I feel’s going to win? I feel 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 feel Cory’s going to be stunned how sturdy that little Georgian feels. But in addition I may very well be fully mistaken. Cory might 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 mistaken two totally different instances. That doesn’t imply O’Malley is simply giving up on probably fixing that puzzle in the future down the highway.
“I really 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 battle. Misplaced the primary two. So by no means say by no means.”
That mentioned, O’Malley actually gained’t rely out Sandhagen, particularly on condition that he considers the upcoming title challenger a extra gifted martial artist than the champion. Dvalishvili could not have the flashiest résumé on the subject of his performances or highlight-reel victories, however he all the time finds a technique to get the job accomplished.
“When it comes right down to general who’s the extra expert fighter, high to backside, I feel Cory is,” O’Malley mentioned. “However typically that doesn’t matter when you might have a man like Merab who will shoot and alter ranges and throw stuff. It seems sloppy. Once I was watching movie on him, you take a look at it and it seems sloppy. You’re like OK, I can catch him right here, catch him right here. He stunned me twice. I wasn’t in a position to crack him, wasn’t in a position to catch him. I do suppose he’ll shock Cory just a little bit however I additionally wouldn’t be stunned if Cory surprises Merab on his wrestling protection and his scramble potential and simply battle IQ on the whole.
“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.”
