Merab Dvalishvili’s dominance at UFC 306 could possibly be marked with an asterisk after additional particulars on Sean O’Malley’s harm was launched.
‘The Machine’ placed on probably the greatest performances of his profession on the Las Vegas Sphere. The Georgian managed to seize bantamweight gold, making it look extremely simple within the course of.
Nevertheless, reviews surfaced days after the occasion claiming that Sean O’Malley was badly injured heading into the bout. Tim Welch — the long-term good friend and coach of O’Malley — detailed the difficulties his scholar had doing grappling drills in coaching.
“‘Suga’s getting surgical procedure on his hip labrum quickly,” Welch mentioned. “I am excited for that as a result of then we’ll lastly be capable of get again to actual grappling practices like we used to.”
“The previous 12 months, we have [only] been capable of do little bits. Most likely 10 second goes, 15 second goes from the bottom. That is all actually his hip and his again might deal with.”
“So, getting that mounted and getting again to actual grappling practices. Actual jiu-jitsu, actual wrestling practices, I am excited for that.”
Welch later revealed extra particulars on how O’Malley has been dealing with the harm.
“He obtained some cortisone pictures to masks every little thing. We actually could not spend numerous time on the mat like we now have in earlier years…”
“We have simply been working round that harm the perfect we are able to… It will be good to get this out of the best way so we are able to get again to really coaching how we really wish to.”
Associated: Marlon Vera hints at how Sean O’Malley might have crushed Merab Dvalishvili
Sean O’Malley vs. Jose Aldo?
Additional alongside within the interview, Tim Welch mentioned the potential for Sean O’Malley going through MMA legend Jose Aldo upon his return.
Welch expects ‘Suga’ to struggle someday in the summertime of 2025.
“Realistically, the summer time,” Welch mentioned relating to O’Malley’s return. “I am undecided how lengthy these hip labrums take to heal, however we’ll do it fully proper and probably not rush it.”
“Hopefully by June or July, we’re able to struggle once more after which make one other run on the title.”
Although a lot can change between now and his returning bout, Tim Welch has various opponents he’d prefer to see O’Malley face subsequent.
“Cory Sandhagen is such a candy struggle. We knew that struggle was going to occur ultimately.”
“Henry Cejudo. We’re in the identical metropolis, so we might actually get pumped up for that struggle. Beating up that little dude…”
“Even [Deiveson] Figueiredo, if that one was doable in the summertime… Yeah, that might be loopy standing throughout from Jose Aldo.”
“We have been followers of him for a very long time. However, that is positively, I believe, a winnable struggle for us, additionally. Any of these can be actually candy.”
