In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev proposed that the next matchup for Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley should be with fellow AKA teammate Umar Nurmagomedov, who is currently undefeated.
Umar, cousin of the legendary UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, is currently ranked #10 in the Bantamweight division and boasts an impressive undefeated win streak of 17-0 in the UFC.
Sean O’Malley put on notice by Islam Makhachev
Further into the interview with MMA Junkie, when probed by the interviewer about his thoughts on the Bantamweight scene, Islam expressed that Umar Nurmagomedov is aiming for a title shot, and he believes that Umar will win it soon.
“Umar coming very soon, believe me, he is coming very soon. You know this guy have some injury… You know, hard way to be a champion (while dealing with injuries). Like always our team have some problem with the opponent. Like Khabib and myself and now it is Umar. But this guy is coming soon, definitely,” said Islam with regards to his thoughts on Umar’s rise.
Even though Umar’s record is as clean as it gets, fans anticipate that he is still seems far away from the title picture. This could be credited to the fact that none of the Umar’s opponents have been top-ranked contenders and the Dagestani Bantamweight still has to prove his valor. Umar is next expected to go against Cory Sadhagen, currently ranked #3 in the UFC Bantamweight division.
Umar Nurmagomedov is confident that he’s the best bantamweight in the #UFC
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) March 13, 2024
“I think I can maul all of them. Nobody in my division has wrestling defense, nobody has too high level striking. I have very good striking too.
I can strike, I can takedown, I can ground and pound. I… pic.twitter.com/YQ9sp6bZ2x
Current UFC Bantamweight challengers for Sean O’Malley
Sean O’Malley, the UFC Bantamweight Champion, is expected to defend his title against Merab Dvalishvili, currently ranked #1 in the Bantamweight Division. Both Merab and O’Malley share a rivalry that has built up over time. A teammate of Aljamain “The Funk Master” Sterling, Merab has called out Sean time and time again.
Merab Dvalishvili also stole Sean O’Malley’s signature red jacket during a faceoff against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 288, by which Sean O’Malley seemed pretty offended.
Sean O’Malley has also showed interest in fighting Merab on Twitter (formerly ‘X’) recently after a successful title defense against Marlon “Chito” Vera.
I WANT MARAB. 2025 will be legendary ✌🏽
— Sean O'Malley (@SugaSeanMMA) March 15, 2024
As far as other options are concerned, it could involve a rematch for the title against Petr Yan (as the decision win in the first match was heavily debated among the community), or a fight against Cory Sandhagen. If Islam Makhachev’s solution were to be implemented, the bout between Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov would be a potential title-eliminator.
