Umar Nurmagomedov will fight Cory Sandhagen this weekend at the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi. A potential win over Sandhagen can potentially give Nurmagomedov a title opportunity against Sean O’Malley. However, the Dagestani doesn’t think this rivalry will be anything like Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor.
Many have discussed Nurmagomedov vs. O’Malley being the second Khabib-Conor fight. Recently, in an interview, Umar Nurmagomedov was asked about his potential fight with O’Malley. However, the #10 ranked fighter doesn’t think O’Malley will cross the lines like McGregor did against Khabib Nurmagomedov.
I see Sean’s personality, he’s not too dirty of a person to talk bad about my family or my religion. But if we will fight it’s Irish vs. Dagestan again.
Umar Nurmagomedov via MMA Junkie
In the past, Team Khabib’s Javier Mendez has also talked about O’Malley vs. Umar Nurmagomedov potentially being as big as UFC 229. O’Malley has personality traits similar to McGregor, and Umar is the undefeated Dagestani. However, that conversation will have to wait as the young fighter has to go against ‘Sandman.’
“I see Sean’s personality, he’s not too dirty of a person to talk bad about my family or my religion. But if we will fight it’s Irish vs. Dagestan again.”
Umar Nurmagomedov discusses a potential UFC title fight vs. Sean O’Malley.
(via @MikeBohn) pic.twitter.com/lTTiaHIxMr
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) July 31, 2024
Khabib Nurmagomedov will be present at Umar Nurmagomedov’s corner in order to help him take a win against Sandhagen. Having the ‘Eagle’ as the cornerman is said to be having the cheat code. However, Sandhagen is ready and is willing to give Umar Nurmagomedov his first-ever loss in MMA.
Sean O’Malley doesn’t think Cory Sandhagen should have fought Umar Nurmagomedov
Sean O’Malley has a great amount of respect for Umar Nurmagomedov and his skillset. The bantamweight champion himself has talked about fighting Nurmagomedov when the fighter attains superstar status. However, he felt Cory Sandhagen should not have taken the fight.
Sean O’Malley isn’t sure of Cory Sandhagen fighting Umar Nurmagomedov (via Imago)Sandhagen is currently on a three-fight win streak and #2 in the bantamweight rankings. Due to this, many fans criticized his choice to fight Umar Nurmagomedov and risked his title opportunity. According to O’Malley, it’s a bad move from Sandhagen and his management team.
It doesn’t make sense in my eyes. I think we just look at fighting, look at business differently. I just think it’s a poor decision on his management part.
Sean O’Malley via UFC 292 pre-fight presser
Sean O’Malley feels Cory Sandhagen made a “very poor decision” by agreeing to fight Umar Nurmagomedov.
“It doesn’t make sense in my eyes. I think we just look at fighting, look at business differently.” pic.twitter.com/T6rXW3gLNN
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) July 9, 2023
In retaliation to the critics, Umar Nurmagomedov decently gave the example of Sean O’Malley fighting Petr Yan when he was ranked 11th in the division. Like the case of O’Malley things might turn out all right, Nurmagomedov beats Sandhagen and goes on to win the belt. However, everything will depend on the upcoming fight at the main event this weekend.
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