UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley doubts Umar Nurmagomedov’s ability to face Cory Sandhagen. The UFC is set to return to Abu Dhabi on August 3, and the main event will feature one-time interim challenger Cory Sanghagen and undefeated fighter Umar Nurmagomedov.
There has been a lot of anticipation about the fight. However, O’Malley is uncertain about its outcome.
I’ll tune in … if it happens,” O’Malley recently told MMA Fighting. “We know Umar likes to pull out if something happens. I’ll be surprised if the fight happens.”
Nurmagomedov has had a five-fight winning streak. However, he has recently withdrawn from fights due to sickness and injuries. Due to his inconsistent nature in the past, O’Malley has come to believe that the fighter may not show up for the bout. However, if he does, ‘Suga’ has his money on Sandhagen, who may be his next opponent.
I’m surprised Cory is such a massive underdog,” O’Malley said. “I think Cory’s one of the most skilled guys in the entire UFC. I wouldn’t be surprised if Cory beat him at all.
“Yeah [I’m picking Sandhagen]. I think Umar is as good as everyone thinks he is. I just think Cory is better.”
Although O’Malley is set to battle Merab Dvalisvhili, he still has his sight set on Sandhagen. O’Malley had a massive victory over Marlon Vera, and shortly after, he set his sights on featherweight champ Ilia Topuira, but the bout was shot down with Merab waiting for a chance at him.
Despite this, O’Malley plans to face Topuira and have a champ-champ face-off.
“I’m here for the people,” O’Malley said. “I thought me moving up to fight Ilia would get people excited. Ilia’s, in my opinion, is way more dangerous than Merab’s. So I was pumped when people were like, ‘No, fight Merab. We don’t want to see you fight Ilia.’ I’m like, ‘Hell yeah, bet. I’ll fight Merab.
“I’m here for the people. If they want to see me as a double champ, let’s do it. If they want to see me defend, let’s do it. I’m here for the people.”
