Sean O’Malley was completely shut down by Merab Dvalishvili when they fought atop the UFC 306 pay-per-view (PPV) event last September in Las Vegas. In fact, “Suga” was so ineffective against “The Machine” that No. 4-ranked bantamweight contender, Cory Sandhagen, sees no point in booking an immediate (and Merab approved) rematch.
That’s not gonna sit well with the Suga State Athletic Commission.
“Let’s be real, O’Malley has no business fighting Merab for an immediate rematch,” Sandhagen said on Instagram. “He got beat up in the first fight. He’s going to get beat up in the second fight. No one wants to see that fight. I’m not booked yet. I want to fight. I am so damn bored.”
He’s not the only one.
“I’ll even give this fool as much time as he wants the way that Aljamain [Sterling] gave him as much time as he wants,” Sandhagen continued. “Just UFC, make the fight that fans want to see, which is me and O’Malley. Make it happen soon. I’m so f*cking bored.”
At least Sandhagen (17-5) has more time to polish that “footwork.”
Despite his shortcomings at UFC 306, the 30 year-old O’Malley (18-2, 1 NC) — currently detoxing while rehabbing an untimely hip injury — remains one of the promotion’s biggest stars (thanks to this unlikely ally). It also helps that Dvalishvili (19-4) is short on top contenders, at least in terms of bankable box office (sorry, Foggy).
Hopefully matchmakers can sort things out over the next few weeks.
