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Sean O’Malley: Fighting Umar Nurmagomedov with Khabib in His Corner Would Be a Career High

Sean O’Malley: Facing Umar Nurmagomedov with Khabib in His Corner Would Be a Career High Sean O’Malley thinks Khabib Nurmagomedov’s presence could give his potential clash with Umar Nurmagomedov that big-fight feel. The latter…

Sean O’Malley thinks Khabib Nurmagomedov’s presence could give his potential clash with Umar Nurmagomedov that big-fight feel.

The latter of the Dagestani MMA dynasty earned a big win inside the Octagon earlier this month, scoring a decisive decision victory over Cory Sandhagen. The victory pushed Umar Nurmagomedov into the No. 2 spot in the bantamweight rankings, setting him up to challenge the winner of next month’s title tilt between reigning 135-pound king Sean O’Malley and top-ranked contender Merab Dvalishvili.

O’Malley is not the kind of fighter to count his chickens before they hatch, but he can’t help but think about the big fight feel that would come with facing Umar Nurmagomedov. Especially if it means competing against the mind and coaching of Khabib Nurmagomedov who would undoubtedly be in his cousin’s corner.

“I never really thought about it but just kind of off the top of my head right now if I think about it, that would be cool. Khabib’s a legend, 29-0, and very disciplined, serious guy which would make it even more fun,” O’Malley told Red Corner MMA.

“It’d be hard to top that, like I guess beating Ilia or Max after that, like there’s guys you could top that with but it’d be hard to get too excited for. I don’t know, I’m thinking out loud right now. It would be cool” (h/t MMA News).

Sean O’Malley headlines once in a lifetime event at sphere in las vegas

Before O’Malley can even concern himself with the Dagestani wrestling attack of an undefeated Nurmagomedov, he’ll have to handle his toughest test yet when he meets streaking Georgian standout Merab Dvalishvili.

The two bantamweight warriors will square off on Saturday, September 14 when the promotion celebrates Mexican Independence Day inside Sphere in Las Vegas.

Dana White has promised an event unlike anything that’s ever been done before. Aside from the unique setting, UFC 306 will feature not one, but two exciting championship clashes. The first will feature a trilogy bout as Alexa Grasso returns to defend her flyweight title against Valentina Shevchenko.

Grasso shocked the world at UFC 285, scoring a fourth-round submission victory over ‘Bullet’ to kickstart her 125-pound reign. Later that year, Grasso and Shevchenko ran it back, but the bout was controversially ruled a split draw.

Sean O’Malley: Conor McGregor is UFC’s biggest star, but I’m coming for that spot

Ahead of his return at Noche UFC next month in a title fight with the surging, Merab Dvalishvili, current…

Ahead of his return at Noche UFC next month in a title fight with the surging, Merab Dvalishvili, current undisputed bantamweight best, Sean O’Malley is well aware that ex-champion, Conor McGregor is still the standard for stars in the sport, however, he claims he is fast coming for that crown.

O’Malley, the current undisputed bantamweight champion under the banner of the organization, is slated to take main event honors at the Las Vegas Sphere next month — headlining Noche UFC in a title showdown with Georgian grappling ace, Dvalishvili.

Last featuring at UFC 299 back in March, Montana striker, O’Malley landed a one-sided unanimous decision win over former-foe, Marlon Vera — avenging his sole professional loss against the Ecuadorian striking veteran.

And while former two-weight titleholder, Conor McGregor has yet to return following a leg injury over three years ago, the Dubliner continues to draw heavy links to a return at UFC 310 before the end of the year in a welterweight clash with Michael Chandler.

Sean O’Malley again takes aim at Conor McGregor

However, amid uncertainty over his future in the sport, Contender Series product, O’Malley claims he is coming for the crown from McGregor — starting with his showdown against Dvalishvili.

Video - Sean O'Malley issues warning to Merab Dvalishvili in face off: 'Do you wanna die?'

“Right now, it’s Conor McGregor, 100 percent,” Sean O’Malley told ESPN. “He’s a dork, but it’s the truth. For me to get to that, I need to go out there and knock out Merab (Dvalishvili), I go up to [145lbs], I beat Ilia (Topuria), I beat Max (Holloway), I beat Umar (Nurmagomedov), I’m three fights away from being one of the greatest of all-time, one of the most exciting of all-time. There’s [a] difference.”

“No one thinks Conor’s the greatest fighter of all-time,” Sean O’Malley explained. “He was lacking skills, lacked title defenses, but entertainment-wise, he’s the best in the world. Entertainment-wise, he was the best.”

Ilia Topuria Doubles Down: Max Holloway and Sean O’Malley Suck, Beat Both in the Same Night

Ilia Topuria doesn’t see any potential threats to his featherweight reign on the horizon. Following a second-round knockout of…

Ilia Topuria doesn’t see any potential threats to his featherweight reign on the horizon.

Following a second-round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski earlier this year, UFC 308 on October 26 in Abu Dhabi will be Topuria’s first attempt to defend the 145-pound crown when he meets former champion and reigning BMF titleholder Max Holloway.

Even before Topuria’s bout with ‘Blessed’ was booked, he already had another UFC champion calling him out. Reigning bantamweight king Sean O’Malley expressed interest in a superfight with ‘El Matador’ following his win over Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera earlier this year.

Unfortunately for him, Dana White quickly squashed any possibility of that bout being next, but Topuria is still more than willing to oblige. Hell, he’ll fight both Holloway and O’Malley on the same night if given the opportunity.

“When he pronounce those kind of things like, ‘If I win,’ it’s because he’s not very confident about himself,” Topuria told MMA Junkie. “First of all, he has a very tough match up ahead. If he does it, why not? Why not? I would love to have that fight. It’s like, thank you, God. For everyone, it’s going to be so huge.

“Like, ‘Ilia is fighting Max or he’s fighting Sean O’Malley.’ But in reality, I know that they both suck. I can do with them whatever I want to do. I can do it with both of them. I can beat them both in the same night. No problem” (h/t MMA Mania).

Ilia Topuria open to a move to 155

Topuria has gone 15-0 in his mixed martial arts with his victory over Volkanovski being the biggest highlight thus far. Along the way, ‘El Matador’ has fought at lightweight, though he never planned on making the 155-pound crown one of his career goals.

Of course, if the opportunity presents itself, it may be an offer he can’t refuse.

“To be honest, I could do it after the Volkanovski fight, but I decided to keep fighting in 145 and to defend my belt,” Topuria said. “Whenever it comes, I will be ready. After this one, after the fight with Max Holloway once I knock him out, maybe the UFC will call me and tell me that they want me to move up to 155, and I will be very happy with that decision.

“If not, I will keep defending my belt, keep doing my job. If anyone wants to test himself, I will be there. In 145, 155, 170 … I don’t care. I’m a fighter, and I’m the best fighter in the world. I’m not the average level of fighter.

“I respect Makhachev. I know what it takes to get inside that cage. I know all the sacrifices a person has to make to go inside that Octagon. I respect him, but there’s levels. I feel I represent the new generation of mixed martial arts. I bring a fight style that no one has, and no one had. I’m just improving the game. I’m just the new face of the game. It’s just a matter of time until everyone will realize this.”

Sean O’Malley Feels Defeating Coach Khabib Nurmagomedov Would Be All-Time Career Highlight: ‘It Would Be Hard To Top That…’

Should Sean O’Malley successfully defend his bantamweight title against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306, another big fight awaits the champion. Umar Nurmagomedov will look to become the second fighter in his family to win UFC gold following his win over Cory Sandhagen. Alongside the fact that it’s a great clash of styles, this fight is […]

Continue Reading Sean O’Malley Feels Defeating Coach Khabib Nurmagomedov Would Be All-Time Career Highlight: ‘It Would Be Hard To Top That…’ at MMA News.

Should Sean O’Malley successfully defend his bantamweight title against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306, another big fight awaits the champion.

Umar Nurmagomedov will look to become the second fighter in his family to win UFC gold following his win over Cory Sandhagen.

Alongside the fact that it’s a great clash of styles, this fight is huge because of Umar’s family bond with the great Khabib Nurmagomedov.

The former UFC lightweight champion is sure to be in his corner for that fight and that’s something that adds extra incentive for “Suga”.

Getting the chance to test himself against one of the best minds in the sport makes this one even more significant for his legacy.

Sean O’Malley Says Even Two-Weight Success Would Struggle To Top Going Up Against Umar & Khabib Nurmagomedov

Having Khabib in the mix with his cousin is going to make the fight feel bigger and that suits O’Malley well if it does end up happening.

Since retiring from MMA with his undefeated record intact, “The Eagle” has earned a phenomenal reputation as a coach and cornerman.

In many ways, he stepped into the role that was left behind after his father, Abdulmanap, passed away.

O’Malley spoke in a recent interview with Red Corner MMA about how getting the chance to go up against this Nurmagomedov family team would be a career-high moment for him.

“I never really thought about it but just kind of off the top of my head right now if I think about it, that would be cool. Khabib’s a legend, 29-0 and very disciplined, serious guy which would make it even more fun.

“It’d be hard to top that, like I guess beating Ilia or Max after that, like there’s guys you could top that with but it’d be hard to get too excited for. I don’t know, I’m thinking out loud right now. It would be cool.”

Continue Reading Sean O’Malley Feels Defeating Coach Khabib Nurmagomedov Would Be All-Time Career Highlight: ‘It Would Be Hard To Top That…’ at MMA News.

Sean O’Malley Feels Defeating Coach Khabib Nurmagomedov Would Be All-Time Career Highlight: ‘It Would Be Hard To Top That…’

Continue Reading Sean O’Malley Feels Defeating Coach Khabib Nurmagomedov Would Be All-Time Career Highlight: ‘It Would Be Hard To Top That…’ at MMA News.

Should Sean O’Malley successfully defend his bantamweight title against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306, another big fight awaits the champion.

Umar Nurmagomedov will look to become the second fighter in his family to win UFC gold following his win over Cory Sandhagen.

Alongside the fact that it’s a great clash of styles, this fight is huge because of Umar’s family bond with the great Khabib Nurmagomedov.

The former UFC lightweight champion is sure to be in his corner for that fight and that’s something that adds extra incentive for “Suga”.

Getting the chance to test himself against one of the best minds in the sport makes this one even more significant for his legacy.

Sean O’Malley Says Even Two-Weight Success Would Struggle To Top Going Up Against Umar & Khabib Nurmagomedov

Having Khabib in the mix with his cousin is going to make the fight feel bigger and that suits O’Malley well if it does end up happening.

Since retiring from MMA with his undefeated record intact, “The Eagle” has earned a phenomenal reputation as a coach and cornerman.

In many ways, he stepped into the role that was left behind after his father, Abdulmanap, passed away.

O’Malley spoke in a recent interview with Red Corner MMA about how getting the chance to go up against this Nurmagomedov family team would be a career-high moment for him.

“I never really thought about it but just kind of off the top of my head right now if I think about it, that would be cool. Khabib’s a legend, 29-0 and very disciplined, serious guy which would make it even more fun.

“It’d be hard to top that, like I guess beating Ilia or Max after that, like there’s guys you could top that with but it’d be hard to get too excited for. I don’t know, I’m thinking out loud right now. It would be cool.”

Continue Reading Sean O’Malley Feels Defeating Coach Khabib Nurmagomedov Would Be All-Time Career Highlight: ‘It Would Be Hard To Top That…’ at MMA News.

Sean O’Malley says Merab Dvalishvili will not be able to wrestle: ‘I can knock anybody out’

Ahead of his undisputed bantamweight title fight against number one contender, Merab Dvalishvili at Noche UFC next month, divisional…

Ahead of his undisputed bantamweight title fight against number one contender, Merab Dvalishvili at Noche UFC next month, divisional champion, Sean O’Malley has his doubts that the Georgian will be able to impose his wrestling-heavy tactics against him — warning the challenger he has the ability to knock anybody out.

O’Malley, the current undisputed bantamweight champion, looks to defend his divisional crown next month for the second time, following a prior unanimous decision shutout win against Marlon Vera back in March in the main event of UFC 299.

As for Dvalishvili, the Tbilisi native featured most recently on the main card of UFC 298 back in February against former two-division champion, Henry Cejudo, landing a one-sided unanimous judging win over the Olympic gold medal winner.

Sean O’Malley predicts knockout win over Merab Dvalishvili

Sharing a distinct rivalry with Dvalishvili — who suffered a nasty laceration over his eye ahead of his fight with the Montana striker next month, O’Malley — who urged him not to withdraw from the Las Vegas Sphere card, vowed to knock him out if he tried to wrestle him as with prior opposition.

Sean O'Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili Sphere

“Styles — I know I can knock anybody out,” Sean O’Malley told ESPN during a recent interview. “I just believe he (Merab Dvalishvili) is going to. It only takes one mistake. Aljo (Aljamain Sterling) made a mistake, got his lights put out. Chito (Marlon Vera), wasn’t able to put his lights out, very, very tough dude, but I was able to find his chin quite a bit.

“I believe if I find Merab’s chin the way I was finding Chito’s, the way I found Aljo’s chin, I’m going to get him out of there,” Sean O’Malley continued.

Winning his crown back in August of last year, O’Malley felled Dvalishvili’s close friend and training partner, Aljamain Sterling with a stunning second round knockout win in Boston, Massachusetts.