Ali Abdelaziz thinks Sean O’Malley remains to be the most important struggle within the bantamweight division.
O’Malley (18-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) misplaced his bantamweight title to Merab Dvalishvili by unanimous determination in Saturday’s UFC 306 principal occasion. It was later revealed that he tore his labrum 10 weeks out from the struggle and is ready to endure surgical procedure on Oct. 3.
Regardless of Dvalishvili’s reluctance, Abdelaziz expects his fighter Umar Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) to get the subsequent title shot. If victorious, Abdelaziz needs to see Nurmagomedov struggle O’Malley in his first title protection, although O’Malley could be coming off a lopsided title loss.
“I would love Sean O’Malley to do that: Take as a lot time as he needs off, and I consider Umar will beat Merab, and after that, Umar will give him a title shot coming off a loss,” Abdelaziz informed ESPN. “I feel Sean O’Malley is likely one of the greatest stars within the sport. It is a enterprise about being profitable, and I feel Sean O’Malley deserves a title shot coming off a loss.
“Have you learnt why? As a result of Sean O’Malley makes everybody within the division cash. Not Merab. It’s not Umar but. Umar can be, although, as a result of Umar has two billion individuals behind his again. He would be the second Khabib (Nurmagomedov). He doesn’t speak a lot. He must trash speak somewhat bit extra like Khabib did, however Umar is particular.”
Abdelaziz clarified that Nurmagomedov will struggle whomever the UFC presents however argued {that a} struggle with O’Malley would draw the most important viewers within the division.
“Umar will struggle anyone, could be Petr Yan or Figueiredo, however that is about being profitable. And Sean O’Malley – no one gave a sh*t concerning the bantamweight division earlier than,” Abdelaziz added. “It’s important to give him credit score. I don’t know Sean O’Malley, we’re not associates, I don’t have pink hair, however the man introduced loads of hype for the division.
“The way you don’t give this man a title shot coming from a loss? Who cares. They (UFC) gave Frankie Edgar a title shot coming off a loss, they gave Izzy (Adesanya) a title shot coming off a loss. … That is about hype, about enterprise, about being profitable. Pay attention, Figueiredo and Merab, no one offers a sh*t. Petr Yan and Merab, no one cares. Umar and Merab, individuals care. Umar and Sean O’Malley, individuals care.”
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