Sean O’Malley is able to face the bantamweight division’s clear-cut No. 1 contender.
With Merab Dvalishvili using a 10-fight win streak, it ought to come as a shock to nobody {that a} conflict between he and reigning UFC champion O’Malley is within the playing cards. O’Malley just lately avenged the lone lack of his profession with a lopsided determination win over Marlon Vera at UFC 299, leaving the trail clear for he and Dvalishvili to lastly share the octagon.
Although O’Malley has flirted with the potential of preventing featherweight champion Ilia Topuria and even dabbling in boxing, he said plainly on his TimboSugarShow podcast that Dvalishili would be the opponent for his second title protection.
“Merab’s subsequent,” O’Malley stated. “Merab is f****** subsequent. Your want is granted.”
O’Malley has been a fan favourite and a well-promoted fighter since incomes a UFC contract on the inaugural season of Dana White’s Contender Collection. His dynamic putting model wowed Contender Collection visitor commentator Snoop Dogg, and the legendary rapper’s endorsement helped to information O’Malley in the direction of superstardom.
At the moment one of many promotion’s hottest fighters, O’Malley would seem to have some leverage with regards to choosing fights, however he insists that avoiding a matchup with Dvalishvilli was by no means his plan.
“Lots of people stated I’m ducking him — I simply actually am not ducking that little dude,” O’Malley continued. “I just like the combat for me. There’s a number of methods to win. I’m excited in regards to the combat now, lastly. I used to be by no means ducking him, I used to be simply by no means excited to combat him. He’s simply such a, I don’t know — now, is it the precise time?
“Just like the ‘Chito’ rematch, the time will come the place it’s the precise time to combat sure individuals. Merab’s subsequent, and watch out what you want for, buddy.”
One motive why O’Malley is perhaps hesitant to combat Dvalishvili is that the Georgian fighter is understood for his relentless tempo and wrestling, which might make him the right foil for the flashy O’Malley.
In preparation for Dvalishvili’s grappling, O’Malley joked that he could need to make a key change in coaching camp.
“I’m not even going to shadowbox, I’m going to ‘shadowwrestle,’” O’Malley stated.
