Who is next for Sean O’Malley? 3 slobber knocker options
Sean O’Malley beat on Chito Vera from pillar to post last night at UFC 299. His win marked a revenge three years in the making for “Suga.” All eyes point forward as O’Malley will start posturing for his next challenge. Who will it be?
Don’t do it: Ilia Topuria
Dana White doesn’t like the Topuria vs. O’Malley fight next. I agree. Both fighters have business to attend to first. pic.twitter.com/bGkibGLZiR
— Blaine Henry (@BlaineHenryTFL) March 10, 2024
In his post fight speech, Sean O’Malley called out newly crowned featherweight champion Ilia Topuria. While he’s relatively successful and popular compared to other talents, O’Malley has failed to captivate the wider audience and become that superstar status. That leaves him seeking larger and larger challenges. Ilia Topuria is the one that O’Malley sees as large enough, apparently.
I honestly do not like the Topuria fight for O’Malley. Ilia Topuria is massive and has fought at lightweight in the past. There are weight classes for a reason and if O’Malley, who isn’t a huge bantamweight, decides to go up and fight Topuria, it could be a bad night. Then again, these are the types of “unwinnable” fights that creates a legend and of O’Malley wins, he will reap the benefits.
Topuria would also be a mega star if he starches O’Malley as well. Either way, a star will be born.
The correct choice: Merab Dvalishvili
Ilia Topuria doesn’t want the O’Malley fight yet. He even said so himself, deferring the fight to his Georgian brother Merab Dvalishvili.
Suga, congrats.. Was a beautiful performance! There is a fight chasing you with Merab.. Get that done first .
— Ilia Topuria (@Topuriailia) March 10, 2024
Merab Dvalishvili has done more than enough to earn his title shot. Hell on wheels, Dvalishvili has beat three former champions in a row: Jose Aldo, Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo. His last loss comes in 2018 to Ricky Simon. Since then, he’s beat seven fighters in a row and won a silver medal at the Combat Sambo World Championships in 2019. That’s ten fights won in a row. He’s game.
Sean O’Malley has said that he doesn’t mind fighting Dvalishvili next but used his mic time to talk to Topuria. Dana White does not like the fight with Topuria and Dvalishvili is the rightful next contender. But…
The selfish pick: Sean O’Malley vs. Cory Sandhagen
I’m a selfish person. I like good, technical striking bouts. I love kickboxing, Muay Thai, and boxing as well. Sean O’Malley vs. Cory Sandhagen is the exact type of fight that I enjoy.
Cory Sandhagen has done almost enough to earn his title shot. He’s unfortunately lost every important fight he’s had. Aljamain Sterling choked him out in a round back in 2020. He went on to wheel kick Marlon Moraes and flying knee Frankie Edgar. Then he dropped two straight to Petr Yan and TJ Dillashaw. So his resume is not as good as Dvalishvili’s.
You want to call for higher opponents and choose your date? Come on, Umar. International Fight Week against me, brother https://t.co/k5ko32zmSI
— . (@corysandhagen) March 10, 2024
Since the Yan loss, Sandhagen has beat Yadong Song, Marlon Vera and Rob Font. While he is vying for a fight with Umar Nurmagomedov, Sandhagen knows that his time is not quite next. I would like to see Sandhagen’s newfound wrestling skills against someone like Umar Nurmagomedov, however.
But if I was given the choice, I’m going Sean O’Malley vs. Cory Sandhagen before that one slips away from our grasps.
