Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov not sold on Merab Dvalishvili over Sean O’Malley for UFC 306
UFC on ABC 7 bantamweights Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov are unconvinced that Merab Dvalishvili wins over Sean O'Malley.
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Cory Sandhagen roots for a mega fight with Sean O'Malley over Merab Dvalishvili (Source: IMAGO)
UFC visits the kingdom of Abu Dhabi on Saturday for one of two events in 2024. This one particularly comes in the form of UFC on ABC 7 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island. Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov fight at the top bill for a pivotal bantamweight fight. If they win, it’s an easy path to Sean O’Malley’s 135-pound gold. The only deterrent to that is title challenger Merab Dvalishvili.
Should he defeat Umar Nurmagomedov after Saturday’s UFC on ABC 7, Cory Sandhagen hopes to align for a title shot rightfully. The 32-year-old isn’t really settling for a backup role yet. He wants more of a hands-on cluck at the gold. To that end, he plans to attend the Noche UFC (UFC 306) PPV and root for ‘Suga.’
Yeah, I’m definitely rooting for O’Malley, ...That’s definitely the bigger fight. That’s a fight that people have been asking for forever. I think that me and him go into a cage and it’s just going to be fireworks. It’s going to be so technical and so skilled...That’s what the fans want to see really, really bad.Cory Sandhagen to MMA Junkie’s Farah Hannoun, ahed of UFC on ABC 7 Media Day
His motivations are obviously stemming from self-preservation; as it should. He is expecting to face Sean O’Malley after the September 14 Sphere event. The ‘Sandman’ knows the neo-fandom O’Malley commands. In addition, he won the 2024 ESPY for Best UFC Fighter Award. Despite not being the best pound-for-pound or having the biggest reigns, a brand-value champ does not get any bigger.
O’Malley is a slight betting underdog against Merab Dvalishvili across all major online sportsbooks. Sandhagen, who feels he’s often overlooked between his hidden talents amid boxing, kickboxing, and taekwondo skills, thinks the same for ‘Suga.’ O’Malley is a Quintet: Ultra Submissions Graplling and Grappling Industries alum. As such, Sandhagen thinks he’d be unstoppable in all facets of the game.
Umar Nurmagomedov not sold Merab Dvalishvili passes Sean O’Malley for guard
When UFC on ABC 7 rolls in, it strings up the fate of the 135-pound division altogether. With four top standouts gunning for gold, it’s all 135lber for himself. Umar Nurmagomedov believes he has some of the division’s best grappling and wrestling skills. However, to be the best, he aims to snatch gold from the best. To him, that’s Sean O’Malley.
O’Malley and Merab Dalishvili square off next at the Noche UFC (UFC 306) headliner. Top-ranked title contender Dvalishvili averages nearly seven takedowns every 15 minutes. It is a likely strategy he’ll employ again against a striker. He enters this bout riding a ten-fight winning streak. But Nurmagomedov is keeping a line open for anything to happen.
I don’t know why Cejudo showed a very bad fight… think he went down because of age, three years without a fight...Right now, Merab is doing very well...His wrestling is very good. You don’t know when he’s going for a takedown or when he’s going to punch you…If Merab loses, he’s never going to fight for the title again…he's 34 or 35…Umar Nurmagomedov during UFC on ABC 7 Media Day; H/T: MMAFighting on SBN
Title challengers do not get more gloated right now. Umar thinks Merab Dvalishvili would have faced a different monster with “prime” Henry Cejudo compared to the version that came at UFC 298. More to it, he considers the same fate awaits the Georgian. There might be a case where this is one of his last opportunities at gold. Hence, Umar means to pry away his or Cory Sandhagen’s chances at the belt.
In case you missed it:
- Merab Dvalishvili vows to prove Sean O’Malley became UFC champion ‘by luck’
- “It is weird,” Sean O’Malley and coach on the hype around Umar Nurmagomedov for fight against Cory Sandhagen
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