Team Khabib has faced snubs across various weight classes by the reigning champions. Such has been the tale for the Dagestani camp, and it continues to haunt them even today. Surging bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov is being dismissed by champion Merab Dvalishvili as a worthy opponent. Amidst the drama, Sean O’Malley seems to have the answers for the champion’s strange behavior.
During his weekly podcast, the bantamweight fighter reflected on his rival’s bizarre behavior. He acknowledged the Georgian fighter’s callout as strange while not mentioning the Dagestani fighter. Outlining his own return to the Octagon, O’Malley decoded his former foe’s callout and also accused him of ducking Umar Nurmagomedov due to a bad stylistic match-up.
Umar wants to fight Merab in January, Petr wants to fight Merab in March. I want to fight Merab in April. Merab is absolutely s****ng himself terrified of Umar….He doesn’t want to fight Umar. Now he says he wants to fight Petr and me. I mean, it is what it is.
Sean O’Malley during his podcast
The Georgian fighter feels Nurmagomedov hasn’t done enough to warrant a title shot. Comparatively, Dvalishvili had to put together a 10-fight win streak to merit a crack at UFC gold. Their ongoing feud over title snubs on X continues as the duo trade barbs. O’Malley’s camp seemed quite certain of booking a rematch and hopes to make necessary adjustments to exact revenge.
😬Sean O’Malley believes Merab Dvalishvili is “terrified”of Umar Nurmagomedov:
“Merab is absolutely shutting himself, terrified of Umar. I mean he doesn’t want to fight Umar”
🎥@SugaSeanMMA 🔹 pic.twitter.com/ycS9jXGvDZ
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) November 25, 2024
Not just fellow contenders, but UFC fans seem to agree with the take that O’Malley shared. During a Q&A session a month ago, the Georgian champion found himself at the bitter end of loud booing from fans. Nevertheless, the American fighter offered an update on his post-surgery and when he would like to return.
Sean O’Malley offers an update on injury sustained during Merab Dvalishivli camp
Sean O’Malley broke the news of sustaining an injury during fight camp for UFC Noche. Following the loss at the event, Suga has firmly taken a backseat to repair his injured hip. Now, after months removed from the fight and post-surgery, the 30-year-old fighter has offered an update on his health.
Sean O’Malley updates his fans on UFC return post surgery (Image via Open Source)It looks like UFC Head Dana White isn’t inclined to book the star against the champion upon his return. White confirmed Nurmagomedov’s status as the number 1 contender. More than likely, O’Malley would have to wait to fight the winner, as the American fighter is still nursing a hip injury post-surgery.
I can’t wrestle yet, I can move around, I can hit mitts a little-bit. I can f***ng shadow box, box spar a little-bit cannot grapple at all yet. Gotta f***ng take care of this, hit mits move around no issues. The grappling is s**t.
Sean O’Malley via Suga Sean O’Malley podcast
Team Khabib will more likely get the chance to fight for 135 lb gold in 2025. When will the matchup take place? That question remains a mystery as the promotion has begun to fill the UFC 311 card. The opening PPV card for 2025 is set to take place in Los Angeles, and it is currently without a main event. More than likely, a bantamweight clash between these two ace grapplers could headline the event.
